Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a natural killer cell.Photo credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Racing car drivers are forever tinkering with their cars, trying to streamline them and soup up their engines because while fast is good, faster is better. Researchers do the same things with potential anti-cancer therapies, tinkering with them … Continue reading Super charging killer cells to fight leukemia
CIRM Board Approves Two Additional COVID-19 Projects
Dr. Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami (left) and Dr. Song Li (right), UCLA Today the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved two additional projects as part of the $5 million in emergency funding for COVID-19 related projects. This brings the number of projects CIRM is supporting to 11, including two clinical trials. The Board awarded $349,999 … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Two Additional COVID-19 Projects
The growth of virtual clinical trials during COVID-19
A participant in a virtual study run by the California firm Science 37 receives materials at home. Credit: Christian Alexander In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a desire to continue to conduct ongoing clinical trials while maintaining social distancing as much as possible. Clinical trial participants have been hesitant to attend … Continue reading The growth of virtual clinical trials during COVID-19
Blocking pancreatic cancer stem cells
John Cashman Cancer stem cells are one of the main reasons why cancers are able to survive surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. They are able to hide from those therapies and, at a future date, emerge and spread the cancer in the body once again. Jionglia Cheng, PhD. Jionglia Cheng, PhD., the lead author of a … Continue reading Blocking pancreatic cancer stem cells
Researchers grow hairy skin from human stem cells
Dr. Jiyoon Lee (left) and Dr. Karl Koehler (right), Indiana University School of Medicine For years the idea of being able to regrow hair has been the domain of cheesy, middle-of-the-night TV infomercials. Now two researchers may have found a way to actually make it happen, and their work could have implications far more important … Continue reading Researchers grow hairy skin from human stem cells
“Mini” human liver made of stem cells successfully transplanted in rats
Miniature liver made from human skin cells turned stem cells turned specialized liver cells Photo Credit: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine According to the American Liver Foundation website, almost 14,000 patients are on the waiting list for a liver transplant. But what if there was a way to generate a liver using your own … Continue reading “Mini” human liver made of stem cells successfully transplanted in rats
Stem Cell Agency Board Approves Three More Projects Targeting COVID-19
Dr. Jianhua Yu (left), Dr. Helen Blau (center), and Dr. Albert Wong (right) The COVID-19 virus targets many different parts of the body, often with deadly or life-threatening consequences. This past Friday the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved investments in three early-stage research programs taking different approaches to battling … Continue reading Stem Cell Agency Board Approves Three More Projects Targeting COVID-19
Parkinson’s Disease and Stem Cells
Lila Collins, PhD A few weeks ago we held a Facebook Live "Ask the Stem Cell Team About Parkinson's Disease" event. As you can imagine we got lots of questions but, because of time constraints, only had time to answer a few. Thanks to my fabulous CIRM colleagues, Dr. Lila Collins and Dr. Kent Fitzgerald, … Continue reading Parkinson’s Disease and Stem Cells
CIRM Board Expands Efforts of COVID-19 Program
Today the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) expanded efforts related to the $5 million in emergency funding for the CIRM COVID-19 program. The new guidelines mean that inception discovery projects (DISC1), whose goal is developing new and transformational ideas, will now be eligible for CIRM COVID-19 funding. These projects can … Continue reading CIRM Board Expands Efforts of COVID-19 Program
A Tribute to Huntington’s Disease Warriors in the Age of COVID-19
Frances Saldana is one of the most remarkable women I know. She has lost all three of her children to Huntington's disease (HD) - a nasty, fatal disease that steadily destroys the nerve cells in the brain - but still retains a fighting spirit and a commitment to finding a cure for HD. She is … Continue reading A Tribute to Huntington’s Disease Warriors in the Age of COVID-19
The Stem Cellar 