The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded $42.1 million for translational research projects. These projects target brain cancers, salivary gland conditions, and a rare metabolic disease. CIRM’s Translational program supports promising stem cell and gene projects. It helps teams complete key activities needed for clinical studies or broad use. These activities can involve therapeutic candidates, … Continue reading CIRM invests more than $42 million in translational research
Cedars-Sinai
CIRM-funded stem cell-gene therapy shows promise in ALS safety trial
Senior author of the study Clive Svendsen, PhD (center) With funding support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), Cedars-Sinai investigators have developed an investigational therapy using support cells and a protective protein that can be delivered past the blood-brain barrier. This combined stem cell and gene therapy can potentially protect diseased motor neurons … Continue reading CIRM-funded stem cell-gene therapy shows promise in ALS safety trial
Using reengineered human skin cells to treat COVID-19
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Investigators at Cedars-Sinai have identified a potential new therapy for COVID-19: a biologic substance created by reengineered human skin cells. In the study—co-funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)—scientists found the substance stopped SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from reproducing itself. The … Continue reading Using reengineered human skin cells to treat COVID-19
Stem cell discovery could help shorten cancer treatment recovery
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST A researcher prepares to study blood cells under a microscope. Photo by Getty. A recent discovery by stem cell scientists at Cedars-Sinai may help make cancer treatment more efficient and shorten the time it takes for people to recover from radiation and chemotherapy. Published in the … Continue reading Stem cell discovery could help shorten cancer treatment recovery
Training a diverse group of future scientists
Students in CIRM's Bridges program showing posters of their work If you have read the headlines lately, you’ll know that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on the shipping industry. Container vessels are forced to sit out at anchor for a week or more because there just aren’t enough dock workers to unload … Continue reading Training a diverse group of future scientists
SPARKing the genius of the next generation of scientists
Dr. Kelly Shepard, SPARK program director After almost 18 months – and counting – that have put us all to the test, made us wear masks, work from home, limit contact with all but the closest of family and friends it’s a wonderful thing to be able to get a glimpse of the future and … Continue reading SPARKing the genius of the next generation of scientists
You can’t take it if you don’t make it
Biomedical specialist Mamadou Dialio at work in the Cedars-Sinai Biomanufacturing Center. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Following the race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 has been a crash course in learning how complicated creating a new therapy is. It’s not just the science involved, but the logistics. Coming up with a vaccine that is both safe … Continue reading You can’t take it if you don’t make it
Mind altering, life changing experience in stem cell lab
This week we are featuring the best blogs from our SPARK (Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative medicine Knowledge) students. SPARK gives high school students a chance to spend their summer working in a world class stem cell research facility here in California. In return they write about their experiences and what they learned. The blog … Continue reading Mind altering, life changing experience in stem cell lab
Next generation of stem cell scientists leave their mark
One of the favorite events of the year for the team here at CIRM is our annual SPARK (Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge) conference. This is where high school students, who spent the summer interning at world class stem cell research facilities around California, get to show what they learned. It’s always an … Continue reading Next generation of stem cell scientists leave their mark
Blood-brain barrier chip created with stem cells expands potential for personalized medicine
An Organ-Chip used in the study to create a blood-brain barrier (BBB). The brain is a complex part of the human body that allows for the formation of thoughts and consciousness. In many ways it is the essence of who we are as individuals. Because of its importance, our bodies have developed various layers of … Continue reading Blood-brain barrier chip created with stem cells expands potential for personalized medicine