Imagine my surprise as Republicans here in the U.S. have contributed mightily to stem cell research recently. Wait, what? There is a perception that when it comes to stem cell research and particularly embryonic stem cell research that there is a political divide with Republicans opposed to it and Democrats for it. Of course it …
Surprise! How Republicans are doing their part for stem cell research Read More »
Texas is holding up a Texas-sized magnet for stem cell super star researchers and it is working. The upper mid-West is reeling from the departure of two stem cell superstars in less than one year and both went South to Texas. First in May 2011, we had the departure of Sean Morrison from U. of …
Scientists are addicted to email. It’s difficult to dispute that statement, but is email good or bad for science? Superficially, it is easy to make the case that email is good for science. Email allows scientists all over the world to rapidly communicate with each other in ways that simply were not possible prior to …
There is a postdoc position available in the Knoepfler Lab at UC Davis School of Medicine in Stem Cell Research. This position is funded by a grant from CIRM. The applicant filling this position will study epigenetic and genomic events in stem cells including iPS and ES cells as well as cancer stem cells. Qualified …
Postdoc position in stem cell research funded by CIRM Read More »
Today after years of following the company Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), I finally bought stock (ACTC) in it. Why? As a stem cell researcher myself working on human ES cells, iPS cells, and many other types of stem cells, I have been following ACT for years, but have never pulled the trigger to buy their stock….until …
Why I finally bought stock in Advanced Cell Technology Read More »
In June 2011 I did a post about genomics and its growing importance both for science and society. The stem cell field has a very rapidly accelerating genomic component as well. I went so far as to call it a revolution and I still believe that is not an exaggeration. CIRM has rightly recognized the …
What does it take to succeed in science? Here are some key ingredients in my opinion after 22 years in academic science. Passion. One important ingredient that we cannot necessarily change significantly about ourselves, but that I think nonetheless is crucial for success, is a true excitement for science. Sometimes people even go so far …
While my gel was running….advice for success in science to newbies Read More »
This post is focused on the important facts you need to know about stem cells as drugs. Many of the folks out there who want to earn a living to scamming vulnerable patients with so-called “stem cell treatments” have been upset that the U.S. FDA continues to view stem cell-based therapies and indeed cell therapies …
Stem cell treatments, drugs, and the key facts you need to know Read More »
About two months about Geron shocked and disappointed the stem cell community by dropping its stem cell program. The move was reportedly made for financial, not scientific reasons. Biotech companies have to be financially sound in order to help stem cell researchers turn science into cures and Geron’s leadership had to do what it thought …
What does Geron’s departure mean for ACT? Some perspectives Read More »
I’m a stem cell researcher and I’m very excited about the potential of stem cell therapies, but my excitement is mostly directed to the future. I’m also a cancer survivor and I know what it is like to get a grave diagnosis and how important hope is and sometimes patients and their families need hope …
Balancing hope and danger with dubious stem cell treatments: a report from Canada Read More »