Explaining science is hard. Explaining stem cells, which have their very own unique complexities, can be even more of a challenge, especially when communicating with a non-scientific audience. That’s why when we received this blog submission from a CIRM SPARK Program intern through UCSF’s High School Intern Program (HIP) explaining stem cells in a simple, … Continue reading How this scientist uses Legos to explain the power of stem cells
Stem cells
Stem cells explained in different languages
Science is hard. Explaining complex science to non-scientists is SUPER hard. But explaining science to non-native English speakers presents a whole new set of challenges. I would know. I’m a first-generation immigrant whose highly-educated parents arrived in their new home—the United States—a tad too late to become fluent in its native tongue. I’ve also … Continue reading Stem cells explained in different languages
Study shows sleep deprivation impairs stem cells in the cornea
We spend around one third of our life sleeping—or at least we should. Not getting enough sleep can have serious consequences on many aspects of our health and has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. A study by the American Sleep Apnea Association found that some 70 percent of Americans report getting … Continue reading Study shows sleep deprivation impairs stem cells in the cornea
UCLA-led team creates first comprehensive map of human blood stem cell development
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Human blood stem cells emerging from specialized endothelial cells in the wall of an embryonic aorta. UCLA scientists’ confirmation of this process clarifies a longstanding controversy about the stem cells’ cellular origin. Image Credit: Hanna Mikkola Lab/UCLA, Katja Schenke-Layland Lab/University of Tübingen, Nature California researchers from … Continue reading UCLA-led team creates first comprehensive map of human blood stem cell development
Recovery from muscle loss injuries hindered by immune cell conflicts
During a game in 2018, Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture that broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg. The gruesome injury aside, the former 49ers quarterback soon developed life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis — a rare bacterial infection — that resulted in sepsis and required him to undergo 17 surgeries. In a battle to save his … Continue reading Recovery from muscle loss injuries hindered by immune cell conflicts
Promoting stem cell therapies, racial justice, and fish breeding
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Jan Nolta, PhD, in her lab at UC Davis; Photo courtesy UC Davis Working at CIRM, you get to meet many remarkable people, and Jan Nolta, PhD, certainly falls into that category. Jan is the Director of the Stem Cell Program at UC Davis School of Medicine. She … Continue reading Promoting stem cell therapies, racial justice, and fish breeding
CIRM CNS Consortium Workshop – Held Feb. 24 & 25, 2022
Note: Post edited to include post-event workshop videos. Watch both workshop videos here and here. THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Shared Stem Cell Laboratory at UCLA Advance World Class Science, Deliver Real World Solutions, Provide Opportunity for All. These comprise the themes of our bold 5-year Strategic Plan. Since its launch … Continue reading CIRM CNS Consortium Workshop – Held Feb. 24 & 25, 2022
CIRM-funded stem cell clinical trial patients: Where are they now?
Ronnie with his parents Pawash Priyank and Upasana Thakur. Since its launch in 2004, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has been a leader in growing the stem cell and regenerative medicine field while keeping the needs of patients at the core of its mission. To date, CIRM has: Advanced stem cell research and therapy development for … Continue reading CIRM-funded stem cell clinical trial patients: Where are they now?
The Most Read Stem Cellar Blog Posts of 2021
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST This year was a momentous one for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). We celebrated the passage of Proposition 14, and as a result, introduced our new strategic plan and added a group of talented individuals to our team. We shared our most exciting updates and newsworthy stories—topics ranging from stem cell research to diversity … Continue reading The Most Read Stem Cellar Blog Posts of 2021
Newly-developed organoid mimics how gut and heart tissues arise cooperatively from stem cells
Gladstone Senior Investigator Todd McDevitt, PhD said this first-of-its-kind organoid could serve as a new tool for laboratory research and improve our understanding of how developing organs and tissues cooperate and instruct each other.