Six months ago, I published a Top 10 list of questions and predictions for the stem cell field. How did I do? A mixed bag. Below are the questions and predictions from October 2010 (in blue), along with an update as to how my predictions fared. 1) How will Geron’s Phase I Clinical Trial go? […]
Stem Cell Questions & Predictions: how did I do? Read More »
What are iPS cells? We talk about iPS cells all the time. We are very excited about them. Heck, the web address for this blog is ipscell.com. But what are iPSCs, really? iPS cells definition A simple definition of iPSCs is the following: Embryonic stem cell-like cells that are made from non-stem cells in a
An insider’s guide: what are iPS cells? Read More »
Now and then we will revisit some of our most popular posts and/or posts with the most comments. One of the best: The Monster Tumor: What is a teratoma really? You can go to the link above to read the original post and comments but I’ve pasted the post itself below. In stem cell research
Greatest hits: What is a teratoma? Read More »
Someone once said that in any war there is going to be propaganda, but what about stem cell propaganda? The same seems to be true for war that extreme right-wing conservatives are waging against stem cell research and researchers. A prime example is an article today in the National Review by David Klinghoffer entitled “The
The Anti-Stem Cell Propaganda Machine Read More »
Tomorrow the California Assembly Public Safety Committee will vote on AB 190, funding the Roman Reed Act. So action is needed today! If AB 190 passes, there will be roughly $11 million/year for spinal cord research coming from $3 for each reckless driving speeding ticket. If it doesn’t pass, there will be $0. This is
Take action today to find a cure for paralysis tomorrow Read More »
For many of us in the biomedical research field, we have always wanted to be a professor and run our own research lab even if it meant the gauntlet of the dreaded academic job search. For some it is fair to say that that goal is really a passion, a dream. However, to achieve
Advice for the academic job search Read More »
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkSaAhbceBk How we choose or heroes, our Supermen and Superwomen, says a lot about who we are. There’s a scene (above) in one of the Superman movies, starring Christopher Reeve, where Lex Luther puts a Kryptonite necklace on Superman. Superman is powerless around Kryptonite and collapses to the ground. I always remember that scene because
Who do you call Superman? Read More »
The tragic 9.0 earthquake and tsunamis that hit Japan a few weeks ago are having lasting consequences not only for Japan, but also for the world via radiation. One area of particular concern is the radiation that has leaked and is continuing to leak from the damaged nuclear reactors. At this point, the radiation
A reality check on the radiation spreading across the globe Read More »
I have been thinking for a long time that the stem cell research field needs a high profile advocate. Star search time? Several readers have recently suggested the same thing including the idea of Lady Gaga. The ideal advocate, our “stem cell star” ,would be known to most Americans. A famous actor. A famous
Stem Cell Star Search: Contest Read More »
What is RNA-based iPS cell research? It was only six months ago that the stem cell field was aflutter over the report by the Rossi group that they could reprogram iPS cells with an astonishingly high efficiency using just RNAs. This completely non-genetic, high-efficiency approach seemed like a revolution for the iPS cell field. It
Is RNA-based iPS cell production a flash in the pan/tissue culture dish? Read More »