Zika is caused by a virus that is mainly transmitted by infected female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes but also through sexual intercourse. People infected by Zika virus usually have mild symptoms that normally last for two to seven days and can include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, or headaches. Zika also causes devastating … Continue reading California researchers developing vaccine to curb the spread of Zika virus
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Physicians and patient advocates on the front lines of the fight for a more equitable health system
Over the last year there has been increasing awareness of the inequalities in the American healthcare system. At every level there is evidence of bias, discrimination and unequal access to the best care. Sometimes unequal access to any care. That is, hopefully, changing but only if the new awareness is matched with action. At the … Continue reading Physicians and patient advocates on the front lines of the fight for a more equitable health system
Study shows that COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective in people with cancer
As we have seen in the US and all around the world, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can cause severe complications and even death in many patients. In the early days of the pandemic, CIRM authorized $5 million in emergency funding for projects targeting the virus. To date CIRM has funded 20 projects related … Continue reading Study shows that COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective in people with cancer
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears – we have a podcast for you.
It seems like everyone, including my dog Freddie, has a podcast these days. So now we do too. According to the Podcasthosting.org website there are some two million podcasts in the world. Make that two million and one. That’s because CIRM is launching its own podcast and doing it with one of the biggest names … Continue reading Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears – we have a podcast for you.
Everything you wanted to know about COVID vaccines but never got a chance to ask
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 rare treat, an … Continue reading Everything you wanted to know about COVID vaccines but never got a chance to ask
How a CIRM scholar helped create a life-saving COVID vaccine
Dr. Derrick Rossi might be the most famous man whose name you don’t recognize. Dr. Rossi is the co-founder of Moderna. Yes, that Moderna. The COVID-19 vaccine Moderna. The vaccine that in clinical trials proved to be around 95 percent effective against the coronavirus. Dr. Rossi also has another claim to fame. He is a … Continue reading How a CIRM scholar helped create a life-saving COVID vaccine
One shot, two benefits!
Doctor preparing an influenza vaccine for a patient. To try and boost sales during the pandemic many businesses are offering two-for-one deals; buy one product get another free. Well, that might also be the case with a flu shot; get one jab and get protection from two viruses. A new study offers an intriguing – … Continue reading One shot, two benefits!
Battling COVID and turning back the clock on stem cell funding
Coronavirus Battling the virus that causes COVID-19 is something that is top of everyone’s mind right now. That’s why CIRM is funding 17 different projects targeting the virus. But one of the most valuable tools in helping develop vaccines against a wide variety of diseases in the past is now coming under threat. We’ll talk … Continue reading Battling COVID and turning back the clock on stem cell funding
CIRM Board Approves Two Additional COVID-19 Projects
Dr. Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami (left) and Dr. Song Li (right), UCLA Today the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved two additional projects as part of the $5 million in emergency funding for COVID-19 related projects. This brings the number of projects CIRM is supporting to 11, including two clinical trials. The Board awarded $349,999 … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Two Additional COVID-19 Projects
Stem Cell Agency Board Approves Three More Projects Targeting COVID-19
Dr. Jianhua Yu (left), Dr. Helen Blau (center), and Dr. Albert Wong (right) COVID‑19 targets many parts of the body, often with serious or life‑threatening effects. This past Friday, the CIRM Board approved investments in three early‑stage research projects that take new approaches to treating the virus. City of Hope Dr. Jianhua Yu at the … Continue reading Stem Cell Agency Board Approves Three More Projects Targeting COVID-19