Alan Cheng and his colleagues were able to regenerate hair cells inside the ears of mice — a first in mature mammals. Photo Courtesy of Steve Fisch A sense of balance is important for a wide range of activities, from simple ones such as walking, running, and driving, to more intricate ones such as dancing, … Continue reading New study points to potential treatment for balance disorders
Stanford University
Stanford and University of Tokyo researchers crack the code for blood stem cells
Blood stem cells grown in lab Blood stem cells offer promise for a variety of immune and blood related disorders such as sickle cell disease and leukemia. Like other stem cells, blood stem cells have the ability to generate additional blood stem cells in a process called self-renewal. Additionally, they are able to generate blood … Continue reading Stanford and University of Tokyo researchers crack the code for blood stem cells
3D brain model shows potential for treatment of hypoxic brain injuries in infants
Image of 3D brain cultures in the Sergiu Pasca lab. Photo courtesy of Timothy Archibald. A baby's time in the womb is one of the most crucial periods in terms of its development. The average length of gestation, which is defined as the amount of time in the womb from conception to birth, is approximately … Continue reading 3D brain model shows potential for treatment of hypoxic brain injuries in infants
Advancing stem cell research in many ways
Speakers at the Alpha Stem Cell Clinics Network Symposium: Photo by Marco Sanchez From Day One CIRM’s goal has been to advance stem cell research in California. We don’t do that just by funding the most promising research -though the 51 clinical trials we have funded to date clearly shows we do that rather well … Continue reading Advancing stem cell research in many ways
Stanford scientist uses CRISPR-Cas9 and stem cells to develop potential “bubble baby” therapy
Dr. Matthew Porteus, professor of pediatrics at Stanford University. Photo courtesy of Stanford Medicine. Our immune system is an important and essential part of everyday life. It is crucial for fighting off colds and, with the help of vaccinations, gives us immunity to potentially lethal diseases. Unfortunately, for some infants, this innate bodily defense mechanism … Continue reading Stanford scientist uses CRISPR-Cas9 and stem cells to develop potential “bubble baby” therapy
Antibody effective in cure for rare blood disorders
3D illustration of an antibody binding to a designated target. Illustration created by Audra Geras. A variety of diseases can be traced to a simple root cause: problems in the bone marrow. The bone marrow contains specialized stem cells known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that give rise to different types of blood cells. As … Continue reading Antibody effective in cure for rare blood disorders
CIRM Invests in Chemotherapy-Free Approach to Rare But Deadly Childhood Disease
David Vetter, boy diagnosed with SCID Imagine being told that your seemingly healthy newborn baby has a life-threatening disease. In a moment your whole world is turned upside down. That’s the reality for families with a child diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Children with SCID lack a functioning immune system so even a simple … Continue reading CIRM Invests in Chemotherapy-Free Approach to Rare But Deadly Childhood Disease
A new stem cell derived tool for studying brain diseases
Sergiu Pasca’s three-dimensional culture makes it possible to watch how three different brain-cell types – oligodendrocytes (green), neurons (magenta) and astrocytes (blue) – interact in a dish as they do in a developing human brain. Courtesy of the Pasca lab Neurological diseases are among the most daunting diagnoses for a patient to receive, because they … Continue reading A new stem cell derived tool for studying brain diseases
Rare Disease Gets Big Boost from California’s Stem Cell Agency
UC Irvine's Dr. Leslie Thompson and patient advocate Frances Saldana after the CIRM Board vote to approve funding for Huntington's disease If you were looking for a poster child for an unmet medical need Huntington’s disease (HD) would be high on the list. It’s a devastating disease that attacks the brain, steadily destroying the ability … Continue reading Rare Disease Gets Big Boost from California’s Stem Cell Agency
Early CIRM support helps stem cell pioneer develop promising new therapy for cancer
When you get praise from someone who has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and has been named California Scientist of the Year you know you must be doing something right. That’s how we felt the other day when Irv Weissman, Director of the Stanford Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, … Continue reading Early CIRM support helps stem cell pioneer develop promising new therapy for cancer
The Stem Cellar 