When it rains it pours. This week, multiple CIRM-funded studies appeared in the news, highlighting the exciting progress our Agency is making towards funding innovative stem cell research and promoting the development of promising stem cell therapies for patients. Below are highlights. Fate Therapeutics Partners with UC San Diego to Develop Cancer Immunotherapy Last week, … Continue reading CIRM-Funded Research Makes Multiple Headlines this Week
Comparing two cellular reprogramming methods from one donor’s cells yields good news for iPSCs
In 2012, a mere six years after his discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), Shinya Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine. Many Nobel winners aren’t recognized until decades after their initial groundbreaking studies. That goes to show you the importance of Yamanaka’s technique, which can reprogram a person’s cells, for example skin … Continue reading Comparing two cellular reprogramming methods from one donor’s cells yields good news for iPSCs
CIRM Board Approves $16.4 million for Early Stage Discovery Research
David Higgins, CIRM Board member and Patient Advocate for Parkinson's disease; Photo courtesy San Diego Union Tribune The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) board approved $16 million for more than a dozen Discovery‑stage research programs. These projects span Parkinson’s disease, new drug targets for cancer stem cells, and methods for creating human airway stem … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves $16.4 million for Early Stage Discovery Research
Stem Cell Stories That Caught our Eye: Stem Cell Therapies for Stroke and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients
With the Thanksgiving holiday behind us, we’re back to the grind at CIRM. Here are two exciting CIRM-funded stem cell stories that happened while you were away. Stanford Scientists Are Treating Stroke Patients with Stem Cells Smithsonian Magazine featured the work of a CIRM-funded scientist in their December Magazine issue. The article, “A Neurosurgeon’s Remarkable … Continue reading Stem Cell Stories That Caught our Eye: Stem Cell Therapies for Stroke and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients
Signal in Cancer Cells Points to New Immunotherapies
People usually mention the immune system when talking about colds or flu. Immune cells do fight viruses and bacteria, but they also destroy abnormal cancer cells inside the body. “Don’t Eat Me” Signal 101 A white blood cell called a macrophage is part of the innate immune system. It patrols tissues and engulfs infected and … Continue reading Signal in Cancer Cells Points to New Immunotherapies
It’s time to vote for the Stem Cell Person of the Year
Oh well, it’s going to be another year of disappointment for me. Not only did I fail to get any Nobel Prize (I figured my blogs might give me a shot at Literature after they gave it to Bob Dylan last year), but I didn’t get a MacArthur Genius Award. Now I find out I … Continue reading It’s time to vote for the Stem Cell Person of the Year
Positive update on Asterias’ SCiStar study for spinal cord injury at TMM 2017
This guest blog is reposted with permission from Signals Blog, published by the Center for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) in Canada. With the extensive exploitation of regenerative medicine through the marketing and selling of unapproved stem cell “therapies” online, it was refreshing to hear an update about clinical trials for a legitimate stem cell … Continue reading Positive update on Asterias’ SCiStar study for spinal cord injury at TMM 2017
Giving thanks to Caleb and all of our stem cell pioneers [Video]
For our last blog before the Thanksgiving holiday, we give thanks to the patients and their caregivers who are forging a path toward a new era of regenerative medicine therapies through their participation in CIRM-funded clinical trials. Some of our trials are in the early stages which means they are mainly focused on safety. Participants … Continue reading Giving thanks to Caleb and all of our stem cell pioneers [Video]
Engaging the patient to create a culture of health citizenship
One of the buzz phrases in healthcare today is “patient engagement”. It seems that you can’t go to a medical or scientific conference without coming across a panel discussion on the topic. A recent Partnering For Cures* event in San Francisco was no exception. But here the conversation took on a very different tone, one … Continue reading Engaging the patient to create a culture of health citizenship
Progress to a cure for Bubble Baby Disease
Evie, a former "bubble baby" enjoying life by playing inside a giant plastic bubble 'Bubble baby disease' will one day be a thing of the past. That’s a bold statement, but I say it with confidence because of the recent advancements in stem cell gene therapies that are curing infants of this life-threatening immune disease. … Continue reading Progress to a cure for Bubble Baby Disease