I think the iPS cell field is at a crossroads. The next year will be critical for determining the direction for the field. iPS cells have been around almost half as long as human ES cells, so maybe it is no longer appropriate to call the iPS cell field “new”, even though to me it […]
iPS cell predictions for the next year: yours and mine (take the poll) Read More »
Yamanaka may have found a way to give exogenous Myc the boot from the iPS cell universe. It has always been a frustration in the iPS cell field that Myc, a proto-oncogene, is so important for reprogramming. Yes, you can make iPS cells (especially mouse) without Myc, but it can be orders of magnitude harder,
New iPS cell method: drop Myc or not yet? Read More »
Today, I am launching a new effort called Stem Cell Outreach Program for Education (SCOPE). I think stem cell technology will transform medicine across the globe, but it will take a concerted effort to make certain that stem cell-based therapies do not become a type of medicine only available to the relatively wealthy or predominantly available
Launching SCOPE: Stem Cell Outreach Program for Education Read More »
There has been a lot of publicity about the reported stem cell treatment of NY Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colon. According to several sources, Colon received his treatment in his native Dominican Republic. Major League Baseball reportedly seems most concerned about this case, at least publicly, because human growth hormone (hGH) might have been used in
Stem cell sports medicine: Bartolo Colon Read More »
What really happens to cells after they a stem cell transplant into a patient? Once these cells, which have spent weeks in a lab environment, are injected into a person, what happens next? This is arguably the most important question in the regenerative medicine field, but there are few answers. We are literally mostly in
Stem cells gone wild? What really happens after a transplant Read More »
Why are stem cells called stem cells? “Stem cell” is one of those terms we use all the time without thinking about it, but where did the name come from originally? Why do we call these particular cells that meet given criteria, “stem cell”? The name “stem” would appear to be a reflection of their
What’s in the stem cell name? Trunk cells & more Read More »
To find out how people feel after getting stem cells I plan to regularly do a stem cell poll on impressions. Last week I posted a stem cell treatment poll. I was curious about people’s experiences and attitudes toward non-FDA approved stem cell treatments. During my time as a stem cell scientist and educator, I
Surprising stem cell poll results Read More »
What is the valley of death of science and biotech? For those of us conducting stem cell research, especially human stem cell research, I don’t have to tell you how expensive it is. Even just doing pre-clinical or basic science research costs a fortune. When you start talking about the kind of pre-clinical research specifically
The valley of death: stem cells, biotechs, and money Read More »
What are the stem cell talking points for politicians and how should scientists talk to them? In the debate over funding for embryonic stem cell research, it is usually assumed that Democrats are in favor of embryonic stem cell research and that Republicans are opposed. But recent polls suggest that amongst the U.S. population as
Greatest hits: stem cell talking points for Republicans Read More »
What stem cell treatments have you had? UPDATE: I’ve now updated the poll to allow readers to choose up to 2 answers since this is important given the new option of “If facing a disease…” One of the cool things about writing this blog is that I get to meet so many amazing people including
Stem Cell Treatments Poll Read More »