The Niche 2023 stem cell picture contest: $100 or swag

Gut stem cells, Amy Engevick

Once every year or two here on The Niche I run contests for best pictures or videos. Today’s new contest is for the best stem cell research pictures. Most often what people send in as entries are microscopy images, but you can use your imagination. Today is a fitting day to launch the contest as …

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Weekly reads: stem cells for epilepsy from Neurona Therapeutics, diabetes, contagious cancer

Neurona Therapeutics, stem cells for epilepsy

People often ask me what are the most promising stem cell therapies in development and new data suggest we should add stem cells for epilepsy to the list based on work by Neurona Therapeutics. I’ll start off the weekly recommended reads with this new mouse paper on cell therapy for epilepsy. Neurona Therapeutics: stem cells …

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FDA warns Neil Riordan U.S. perinatal firm Signature Biologics

Signature Biologics, Neil Riordan

Neil Riordan may be most well-known for running the Panama stem cell clinic called simply enough the Stem Cell Institute, but he also has a U.S. firm Signature Biologics. The Panama  clinic sells unproven umbilical cord cells grown in a lab for a host of medical conditions. I’ve had many concerns about it over the …

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Lessons from 4 stem cell stocks that tanked: Celularity, Athersys, Mesoblast, BrainStorm Cell

Athersys stock, Athersys, stem cell stocks

I’ve been following 24 stem cell stocks for a few years. I haven’t invested in them or any others recently, but rather just find them interesting. How are these doing in 2023? Mostly not great. In some cases, it is downright disastrous. Let’s take a quick look at four stocks very much in the news over …

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Weekly reads: stem cells for MS, Kimera Labs IND, FDA lawsuit

Symptoms_of_multiple_sclerosis

There has been a steady stream of encouraging data on stem cells for MS. Particularly for certain kinds of MS. A new study adds to this upbeat direction. Good news on stem cells for MS Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Sweden: an observational cohort study, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, …

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BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Hail Mary with FDA on Nurown for ALS

MSF-NTF cells, NurOwn

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is developing Nurown, an investigational therapy intended for treating ALS. I recently posted about BrainStorm and its prospects for providing real hope on stem cells for ALS. I see it as a long shot. The ALS community needs real hope, but one challenge is determining how good clinical data have to be to …

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Weekly reads: artificial wombs, mice with rat brains, Neuralink

artificial wombs

It feels like we are marching towards a future in which key aspects of human reproduction, including the use of artificial wombs, could be substantially different than for most of history. The FDA is considering allowing a clinical trial for use of artificial wombs in people. Human trials of artificial wombs could start soon. Here’s …

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Burst Biologics unapproved biologic used by Weill Cornell: was there a cover-up?

Burst Biologics, Christopher Jones

The New York Times just broke a story on Burst Biologics and Weill Cornell that fits with long-standing troubling questions about regenerative biologics producers. The story also bears on the doctors and hospitals like Weill Cornell that were or are customers of the suppliers. Further, what is the FDA’s role in all of this? The …

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Defining epigenetic reprogramming, cellular reprogramming & rejuvenation

epigenetic reprogramming

Epigenetic reprogramming is a term used in cell biology that is increasingly ending up in news stories too. Unfortunately, some folks, especially in the cellular rejuvenation and anti-aging space, are getting this term and other things confused. Just to start off, epigenetic reprogramming does not specifically mean cellular rejuvenation. The goal of today’s post is …

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Weekly reads: big Retraction Watch news, stem cells & metastasis, an FDA approval, Iowa AG sues clinic

Retraction watch

Retraction Watch has been a great resource for those of us who have been following research misconduct. They widely cover and conduct research on retractions, corrections, and other developments in this space. Unfortunately, there’s been plenty to write about even just within the stem cell and cell therapy arena, which is my primary interest. Think …

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