Stem cell stories that caught our eye: sexual identity of organs, upping the game of muscle stem cells, mini guts produce insulin

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. A new sexual identity crisis—in our organs. With the transition from Mr. to Ms. Jenner and other transsexual news this year, it seems inevitable that … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: sexual identity of organs, upping the game of muscle stem cells, mini guts produce insulin

Super stem cell exhibit opens in San Diego

The best science museums are like playgrounds. They allow you to wander around, reading, watching and learning and being amazed as you go. It’s not just a feast for the mind; it’s also fun for the hands.  You get to interact with and experience science, pushing buttons, pulling levers, watching balls drop and electricity spark. … Continue reading Super stem cell exhibit opens in San Diego

Patients beware: warnings about shady clinics and suspect treatments

Every day we get a call from someone seeking help. Some are battling a life-threatening or life-changing disease. Others call on behalf of a friend or loved one. All are looking for the same thing; a treatment, better still a cure, to ease their suffering. Almost every day we have to tell them the same … Continue reading Patients beware: warnings about shady clinics and suspect treatments

Regenerating damaged muscle after a heart attack

Images of clusters of heart muscle cells (in red and green) derived from human embryonic stem cells 40 days after transplantation. Courtesy UCLA Every year more than 735,000 Americans have a heart attack. Many of those who survive often have lasting damage to their heart muscle and are at increased risk for future attacks and … Continue reading Regenerating damaged muscle after a heart attack

National honor for helping “the blind see”

Those of us fortunate to have good health take so many things for granted, not the least of which is our ability to see. But, according to the World Health Organization, there are 39 million people worldwide who are blind, and another 246 million who are visually impaired. Any therapy, any device, that can help … Continue reading National honor for helping “the blind see”

The 10 Most Popular Stem Cellar Stories of 2015

Each new year is exciting for CIRM because it means we’re one year closer to funding a stem cell therapy that will be approved for the treatment of an unmet medical need. 2015 was especially exciting for us. Under our new president Randy Mills, we launched our accelerated funding process, CIRM 2.0, and received Board … Continue reading The 10 Most Popular Stem Cellar Stories of 2015

Using baking ingredient to create “nano” bombs and destroy cancer stem cells

"I am not a cook". Richard Nixon and the baking ingredient that could help win the "war on cancer" In 1971 President Richard Nixon declared a “war on cancer” and signed the National Cancer Act into law. Forty years later we’re still waging that war, and cancer is still one of the leading causes of … Continue reading Using baking ingredient to create “nano” bombs and destroy cancer stem cells

Meet the proteins that tell stem cells where to move and how

  Word cloud art work which shows all the proteins identified by the researchers The environment you grow up in can have a huge influence on how you turn out. That applies to people, and to stem cells too. Now a new study has identified 60 proteins that can have a big impact on how … Continue reading Meet the proteins that tell stem cells where to move and how

Stem cells could offer hope for deadly childhood muscle wasting disease

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a particularly nasty rare and fatal disease. It predominantly affects boys, slowly robbing them of their ability to control their muscles. By 10 years of age, boys with DMD start to lose the ability to walk; by 12, most need a wheelchair to get around. Eventually they become paralyzed, and … Continue reading Stem cells could offer hope for deadly childhood muscle wasting disease

How do you know if they really know what they’re saying “yes” to?

How can you not love something titled “Money, Mischief and Science.” It just smacks of intrigue and high stakes. And when the rest of the title is “What Have We Learned About Doing Stem Cell Research?” you have an altogether intriguing topic for a panel discussion. That panel – featuring CIRM’s own Dr. Geoff Lomax, … Continue reading How do you know if they really know what they’re saying “yes” to?