Dr. Charles K.F. Chan (Left) and Dr. Michael Longaker (right), Stanford University Cartilage is a flexible, connective tissue in our joints that is important for cushioning our bones against impacts. This cartilage deteriorates as we age due to normal wear and tear and in some instances excessive damage or a deteriorating disease. The deterioration of … Continue reading Researchers discover how to steer stem cells to regenerate cartilage in joints
Bone
The Most Important Gift of All
Photo courtesy American Hospital Association There are many players who have a key role in helping make a stem cell therapy work. The scientists who develop the therapy, the medical team who deliver it and funders like CIRM who provide the money to make this all happen. But vital as they are, in some therapies … Continue reading The Most Important Gift of All
Latest space launch sends mice to test bone-building drug
Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) received some furry guests this weekend with the launch of SpaceX’s Dragon supply capsule. On Saturday June 3rd, 40 mice were sent to the ISS along with other research experiments and medical equipment. Scientists will be treating the mice with a bone-building drug in search of a new … Continue reading Latest space launch sends mice to test bone-building drug
Bridging the Gap: Regenerating Injured Bones with Stem Cells and Gene Therapy
Scientists from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a new stem cell-based technology in animals that mends broken bones that can’t regenerate on their own. Their research was published today in the journal Science Translational Medicine and was funded in part by a CIRM Early Translational Award. Over two million bone grafts are conducted every year … Continue reading Bridging the Gap: Regenerating Injured Bones with Stem Cells and Gene Therapy
Engineered bone tissue improves stem cell transplants
Bone marrow transplants are currently the only approved stem cell-based therapy in the United States. They involve replacing the hematopoietic, or blood-forming stem cells, found in the bone marrow with healthy stem cells to treat patients with cancers, immune diseases and blood disorders. For bone marrow transplants to succeed, patients must undergo radiation therapy to … Continue reading Engineered bone tissue improves stem cell transplants
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: designer socks for cancer patients, stem-cell derived stomachs and fighting off bone infections
Inspiring cancer patients with designer socks. (Karen Ring) Here’s a motivating story we found in the news this week about a cancer survivor who’s bringing inspiration to other cancer patients with designer socks. Yes, you read that correctly, socks. Jake Teitelbaum is a student at Wake Forest University and suffers from a rare form of blood … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: designer socks for cancer patients, stem-cell derived stomachs and fighting off bone infections
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: functioning liver tissue, making new bone, stem cells and mental health
Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week. Some are groundbreaking science, others are of personal interest to us, and still others are just fun. Functioning liver tissue. Scientists are looking to stem cells as a potential alternative treatment to liver transplantation for patients with end-stage liver disease. Efforts are … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: functioning liver tissue, making new bone, stem cells and mental health
A Tale of Two Stem Cell Treatments for Growing New Bones
Got Milk? If you grew up during the 90’s, you most certainly will remember the famous “Got Milk?” advertising campaign to boost milk consumption. The plug was that milk was an invaluable source of calcium, a mineral that’s essential for growing strong bones. Drinking three glasses of the white stuff a day, supposedly would help … Continue reading A Tale of Two Stem Cell Treatments for Growing New Bones
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: growing better bone, synthetic diaphragms, nerves that make music
Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week. Some are groundbreaking science, others are of personal interest to us, and still others are just fun. A better way to grow bone. The term hydrogel gets tossed around a lot in tissue engineering discussions. The porous, generally pliable materials used to … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: growing better bone, synthetic diaphragms, nerves that make music
UCLA scientists find new targets for late-stage prostate cancer
Prostate cancer, which currently affects 3 million men in the United States, is no longer a death sentence if caught early. The five-year survival rate is very high (~98%) because of effective treatments like hormone therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation—and for many men with slow progressing tumors, the wait-and-watch approach offers an alternative to treatment. … Continue reading UCLA scientists find new targets for late-stage prostate cancer
The Stem Cellar 