When you read marketing terms like “stem cell treatment for sexual enhancement” or more specifically stem cells for “vaginal rejuvenation” what comes to mind? And are stem cell treatments a viable option for vaginal rejuvenation or sexual enhancement? So far, the data do not clearly back up this approach as both safe and definitely effective. Nonetheless there is a vast amount of marketing in this area. Also, the number of publications on regenerative approaches to female sexual health is skyrocketing. Note only are there …Read More
Even in COVID times the FDA continues its stepped-up efforts against stem cell clinics and patients are suing clinics more too, which I cover in today’s post along with recommended stem cell research pubs. One of the papers at the top of my to-read list is on 3D chromatin in stem cells. FDA Warning Letter to Vibrant Health Care stem cell clinic on COVID-19 From the FDA letter to Edgar Suter, MD: “The FDA has observed that you offer an umbilical cord derived cellular product …Read More
How should we view biohackers and their DIY use of CRISPR outside of the traditional industry or academic lab environment? Introduction to “Biohackers” and DIY CRISPR Who are biohackers exactly? They are people who “hack” their own biology by transforming their bodies through the insertion of technology or modification of their DNA. More rarely, biohackers hack other people’s bodies, but that could change and become more common. In recent years, with the strides made in CRISPR technology, biohacking in genome modification has garnered much …Read More
The COVID-19 pandemic is tearing through the country right as we are starting into the holiday season, but the wheels of science including cell biology keep going and we keep reading all the great work. What news or papers caught your eye? Here are some of the things I have on my list of reading. Also, check out our most-read topic here on The Niche of the last month or so in two posts here and here digging into what I see as Duke’s cord …Read More