For first time ever, scientists used a gene editing technique to successfully cure a genetic condition in a mouse in utero. Their findings present a promising new avenue for research into treating genetic conditions in utero.
Stem cell gene therapy combination could help children battling a rare genetic disorder
Hunter syndrome is devastating. It’s caused by a single enzyme, IDS, that is either missing or malfunctioning. Without the enzyme the body is unable to break down complex sugar molecules and as those build up they cause permanent, progressive damage to the body and brain and, in some instances, result in severe mental disabilities. There … Continue reading Stem cell gene therapy combination could help children battling a rare genetic disorder
CIRM Supported Scientist Makes Surprising Discovery with Parasitic Gut Worms
It’s no secret that researchers have long believed adult stem cells could contribute to wound healing in the gut and skin, but in a new paper in Nature — a group of scientists at UC San Francisco made a surprising discovery. Through several experiments using parasitic worms in the mouse gut, they found that as … Continue reading CIRM Supported Scientist Makes Surprising Discovery with Parasitic Gut Worms
Early CIRM support helps stem cell pioneer develop promising new therapy for cancer
When you get praise from someone who has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and has been named California Scientist of the Year you know you must be doing something right. That’s how we felt the other day when Irv Weissman, Director of the Stanford Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, … Continue reading Early CIRM support helps stem cell pioneer develop promising new therapy for cancer
Video: Behind the scenes of a life-saving gene therapy stem cell treatment
“We were so desperate. When we heard about this treatment were willing to do anything to come here.” In the above quote from Zahraa El Kerdi, “here” refers to UCLA, a world away from her hometown in Lebanon. In September 2015, Zahree gave birth to a son, Hussein, who appeared perfectly healthy. But by six … Continue reading Video: Behind the scenes of a life-saving gene therapy stem cell treatment
CIRM Board invests in new approaches to brain cancer and Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease and glioblastoma are very different diseases of the brain but neither has very good treatment options and both clearly represent an unmet medical need. With that in mind, the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state’s stem cell agency, yesterday voted to invest almost $9.5 million in developing … Continue reading CIRM Board invests in new approaches to brain cancer and Parkinson’s disease
Overcoming one of the biggest challenges in stem cell research
Imagine you have just designed and built a new car. Everyone loves it. It’s sleek, fast, elegant, has plenty of cup holders. People want to buy it. The only problem is you haven’t built an assembly line to make enough of them to meet demand. Frustrating eh. Overcoming problems in manufacturing is not an issue … Continue reading Overcoming one of the biggest challenges in stem cell research
Using laughter to help find a treatment for Alzheimer’s
In 1983, when President Ronald Reagan designated an annual National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month fewer than two million Americans had Alzheimer’s. Today, that number is close to 5.5 million and estimates suggest it will rise to 16 million by 2050. There are no treatments. No cure. But around the globe people are working hard to … Continue reading Using laughter to help find a treatment for Alzheimer’s
Newest member of CIRM Board is a guitar-playing, German Shepherd dog loving, molecular geneticist
The newest member of the CIRM Board is a researcher who wasn't always sure she would have a career as a scientist. Suzanne Sandmeyer, PhD, says at the start of her career she had a lot of doubts. “During my postdoc, I was developing the impression I would struggle to survive in my career as … Continue reading Newest member of CIRM Board is a guitar-playing, German Shepherd dog loving, molecular geneticist
Stem cell roundup: summer scientists, fat-blocking cells & recent human evolution
Stem cell photo of the week: high schooler becoming a stem cell pro this summer This summer’s CIRM SPARK Programs, stem cell research internships for high school students, are in full swing. Along with research assignments in top-notch stem cell labs, we’ve asked the students to chronicle their internship experiences through Instagram. And today’s stem … Continue reading Stem cell roundup: summer scientists, fat-blocking cells & recent human evolution
The Stem Cellar 