written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) helped fund a clinical trial that involved an experimental stem cell treatment for a frequently paralyzing form of spina bifida. Today, several of those babies are now able to walk and run unassisted.Babies with severe spina bifida are often treated with surgery after … Continue reading Closer to Cures: Diana Farmer discusses clinical trials for spina bifida
spina bifida
“An awesome responsibility”: A conversation with CIRM board member Kim Barrett
Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick It’s not every day that you get to contribute to something that could help save a life, but when Kim Barrett joined the board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), that’s exactly what happened. Decades of research experience Barrett is a research physiologist. For 36 years, she studied … Continue reading “An awesome responsibility”: A conversation with CIRM board member Kim Barrett
CIRM invests $17.5 million in clinical-stage research that includes spina bifida trial
Diana Farmer, MD and Aijun Wang, PhD. Photo courtesy UC Davis Health The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the world’s largest institution dedicated to regenerative medicine, has awarded $17.5 million to fund clinical-stage research projects aimed at advancing stem cell and gene therapies for a variety of conditions, ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to blood … Continue reading CIRM invests $17.5 million in clinical-stage research that includes spina bifida trial
Tratando malformaciones congénitas antes del nacimiento
El bebé, Tobi recibió un tratamiento de células madre, financiado por el CIRM, mientras aún estaba en el útero. To read this blog in English, click here. Michelle y Jeff se llenaron de felicidad al enterarse de que iban a tener un bebé. Luego, un examen de ultrasonido a las 20 semanas de embarazo reveló … Continue reading Tratando malformaciones congénitas antes del nacimiento
CIRM-funding supports world’s first stem cell treatment for spina bifida delivered during fetal surgery
Dr. Diana Farmer (right) meets with Emily Lofton and her baby Robbie who had stem cell treatment for spina bifida in the womb. Photo: UC Davis Health CIRM recently shared encouraging news about a CIRM‑funded stem cell clinical trial for spina bifida at UC Davis Health. Spina bifida occurs when the spine and spinal cord … Continue reading CIRM-funding supports world’s first stem cell treatment for spina bifida delivered during fetal surgery
Couple uproots their lives to help their baby with spina bifida
Michelle, Jeff, and baby Tobi When Michelle Johnson and Jeff Maginnis learned they were expecting a baby, they were elated. Frightening diagnosis Then an ultrasound exam at 20 weeks into the pregnancy showed the fetus had spina bifida, a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly. Spina bifida can … Continue reading Couple uproots their lives to help their baby with spina bifida
A little history in the making by helping the tiniest patients
Dr. Diana Farmer stands with Dr. Aijun Wang and their UC Davis research team. It’s appropriate that at the start of Women’s History Month, UC Davis’ Dr. Diana Farmer is making a little history of her own. She launched the world’s first clinical trial using stem cells to treat spina bifida before the child is … Continue reading A little history in the making by helping the tiniest patients
Month of CIRM: Making sure stem cell therapies don’t get lost in Translation
All this month we are using our blog and social media to highlight a new chapter in CIRM’s life, thanks to the voters approving Proposition 14. We are looking back at what we have done since we were created in 2004, and also looking forward to the future. Today we feature a blog written by … Continue reading Month of CIRM: Making sure stem cell therapies don’t get lost in Translation
CIRM Board Approves Four New Clinical Trials
A breakdown of CIRM's clinical trials by disease area This past Thursday, the CIRM Board approved four new clinical trials and ten new discovery awards. These awards bring the total number of CIRM‑funded clinical trials to 68 and allow the agency to surpass its strategic goal of launching 50 new trials. CIRM awarded $8,970,732 to … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Four New Clinical Trials
Meet the people who are changing the future
Kristin MacDonald Every so often you hear a story and your first reaction is “oh, I have to share this with someone, anyone, everyone.” That’s what happened to me the other day. I was talking with Kristin MacDonald, an amazing woman, a fierce patient advocate and someone who took part in a CIRM-funded clinical trial … Continue reading Meet the people who are changing the future