Jackie Ward, PhD. Photo courtesy of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke It's always fun to meet someone early in their career and watch them grow, evolve, and take on new challenges. I first met Jackie Ward when she received a training grant from CIRM while she studied for her PhD at the … Continue reading Jackie Ward, from our house to the White House
COVID-19
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
Could a common herb help in the fight against COVID-19 and other inflammatory diseases?
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST The culinary herb rosemary is commonly used in our kitchens to season an array of dishes, and is also considered a good source for vitamins and minerals. Rosemary is also valued for its medicinal properties, and has traditionally been used to help alleviate muscle pain, boost the immune and circulatory system, as well as many other health benefits. Now, scientists at Scripps Research have found … Continue reading Could a common herb help in the fight against COVID-19 and other inflammatory diseases?
Teaching stem cells to play video games
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Pong video game Back when I was growing up, shortly after the extinction of the dinosaurs, there was a popular video game called Pong. It was, in fact, pretty much the only video game at the time. It was a pretty simple game. You moved a “paddle” … Continue reading Teaching stem cells to play video games
A New Model for Diversity in Scientific and Medical Research
Nature Cell Biology cover The global pandemic exposed deep inequities in our health care system and highlighted the need for more diversity in scientific and medical research. The virus hit communities of color the hardest. That in part prompted widespread calls for greater diversity at every level of research. New models for research A recently … Continue reading A New Model for Diversity in Scientific and Medical Research
Bridges Scholar Spotlight: Samira Alwahabi
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST For more than a decade, CIRM has funded a number of educational and research training programs to give students the opportunity to explore stem cell science. One such project, the Bridges to Stem Cell Research program, helps train future generation of scientists by preparing undergraduate and … Continue reading Bridges Scholar Spotlight: Samira Alwahabi
Sweating bullets and other stories from the front line
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the 2020 election became one of the most contentious in living history, it suddenly made trying to get a proposition on the ballot in California a lot harder. That meant the fate of Proposition 14, a ballot initiative refunding CIRM, … Continue reading Sweating bullets and other stories from the front line
A look back at one year post Prop 14
State flag of California 2020 was, by any standards, a pretty wacky year. Pandemic. Political convulsions. And a huge amount of uncertainty about funding life-saving therapies at CIRM. Happily, all of that turned out OK. We got vaccines to take care of COVID. The election was won fair and square (seriously). Proposition 14 was approved … Continue reading A look back at one year post Prop 14
COVID is a real pain in the ear
The more we learn about COVID-19, the more concerning its effects become. The global death toll has surpassed five million. Survivors can also experience long-term health problems. COVID-19 can affect the lungs, heart, and brain. Researchers now find that it can also affect the ears. The virus may cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness. Viral … Continue reading COVID is a real pain in the ear
Beware of misleading headlines and claims
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Coronavirus particles, illustration. When the COVID pandemic broke out researchers all over the world scrambled to find new approaches to tackling the virus. Some of these, such as the vaccines, proved remarkably effective. Others, such as the anti-parasite medication ivermectin or the anti-malaria drug chloroquine, were … Continue reading Beware of misleading headlines and claims