DNA provides the code of life for nearly all living organisms. So, it’s no wonder that scientists have been studying DNA and the human genome (complete set of DNA) for decades. In April 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick, in collaboration with Rosalind Franklin, first described the structure of DNA as a double helix. In … Continue reading Celebrating National DNA Day Together
DNA
Scientists at USC untangle the mysteries of cellular reprogramming- a method that could be used to treat diseases
Dr. Justin Ichida, Assistant Professor at USC and lead author of the study Scientists have long tried to repurpose cells in order to potentially treat various types of conditions. This process, called reprogramming, involves changing one type of cell into another, such as a blood cell into a muscle cell or nerve cell. Although the … Continue reading Scientists at USC untangle the mysteries of cellular reprogramming- a method that could be used to treat diseases
“Junk” DNA is development gold for the dividing embryo
The DNA in our cells provide the instructions to make proteins, the workhorses of our body. Yet less than 2% of the 3 billion base pairs (the structural units of DNA) in each of our cells are actually involved in protein production. The rest, termed non-coding DNA for not being involved in protein production, has … Continue reading “Junk” DNA is development gold for the dividing embryo
Stem Cell Roundup: New understanding of Huntington’s; how stem cells can double your DNA; and using “the Gary Oldman of cell types” to reverse aging
This week's roundup highlights how we are constantly finding out new and exciting ways that stem cells could help change the way we treat disease. Our Cool Stem Cell Image of the Week comes from our first story, about unlocking some of the secrets of Huntington's disease. It comes from the Laboratory of Stem Cell … Continue reading Stem Cell Roundup: New understanding of Huntington’s; how stem cells can double your DNA; and using “the Gary Oldman of cell types” to reverse aging
Stem Cell Stories that Caught our Eye: finding the perfect match, imaging stem cells and understanding gene activity
Here are the stem cell stories that caught our eye this week. Enjoy! LAPD officer in search of the perfect match. This week, the San Diego Union-Tribune featured a story that tugs at your heart strings about an LAPD officer in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. Matthew Medina is a 40-year-old man who was … Continue reading Stem Cell Stories that Caught our Eye: finding the perfect match, imaging stem cells and understanding gene activity
Stem Cell Stories That Caught Our Eye: Free Patient Advocate Event in San Diego, and new clues on how to fix muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease
Stem cell research is advancing so fast that it’s sometimes hard to keep up. That’s one of the reasons we have our Friday roundup, to let you know about some fascinating research that came across our desk during the week that you might otherwise have missed. Of course, another way to keep up with the … Continue reading Stem Cell Stories That Caught Our Eye: Free Patient Advocate Event in San Diego, and new clues on how to fix muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease
Newest member of CIRM Board is a fan of horses, Star Trek and Harry Potter – oh, and she just happens to be a brilliant cancer researcher too.
An addition to the family is always a cause for celebration, whether it be a new baby, a puppy, or, in our case, a new Board member. That’s why we are delighted to welcome City of Hope’s Linda Malkas, Ph.D., as the newest member of the CIRM Board. Dr. Malkas has a number of titles … Continue reading Newest member of CIRM Board is a fan of horses, Star Trek and Harry Potter – oh, and she just happens to be a brilliant cancer researcher too.
“Apples to Apples” analysis: induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) method doesn’t increase mutations
It’s full steam ahead for the development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived clinical trials. That’s according to a group at the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland who report this week in PNAS that the process of reprogramming a skin cell into the embryonic stem cell-like state of an iPSC does not … Continue reading “Apples to Apples” analysis: induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) method doesn’t increase mutations
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: How Zika may impact adult brains; Move over CRISPR there’s a new kid in town; How our bodies store fat
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. Zika virus could impact adult brains It’s not just a baby’s developing brain that is vulnerable to the Zika virus, adult brains may be too. … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: How Zika may impact adult brains; Move over CRISPR there’s a new kid in town; How our bodies store fat
Salk scientists explain why brain cells are genetically diverse
Recent studies show why brain is genetically diverse, and neurons in the same brain can carry slightly different DNA blueprints. These differences may give neurons distinct functions. We can see this in genetically identical twins who sometimes grow less identical over time. Some develop different appearances. Others diverge in health, with one twin developing a … Continue reading Salk scientists explain why brain cells are genetically diverse