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FDA OK’s more COVID-19 efforts of unproven stem cell clinics

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In my view, it seems likely that the FDA has opened a big can of worms by starting to clear the COVID-19 trials and programs of for-profit stem cell clinics and other related firms. OK to Stemedica trial The FDA just approved another such effort, this one by the firm Stemedica. You can read more about …

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Can Gene-Edited Stem Cells Treat Cystic Fibrosis?

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Drugs that restore the shape of the errant protein behind cystic fibrosis (CF) have, over the past eight years, helped the majority of patients, who have certain mutations. Gene-corrected stem cells might offer a “mutation agnostic” option to CF. CF results from a glitch in a glycoprotein with the unwieldy name “cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance …

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Weekly reads: lab meat, crow brain biology, direct reprogramming, more

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Does time seem somewhat warped to anyone else in 2020 even without having  had COVID, which could alter brain function? It just seems like with everything going on that time simultaneously both drags and zooms by this year. One sort of reassuring element is that papers keep on being published so we can enjoy cool …

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Polls: will California approve Prop 14 to fund CIRM again? Should it?

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Back at the beginning of the year I surveyed you readers here on The Niche about the future of CIRM and whether California voters would approve more funding for it in November. That funding effort is now on the ballot as Proposition 14. A month earlier late in 2019 in my yearly 20 predictions for …

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New research on CRISPR gene-editing in stem cells, infographic

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As a pivotal advance in the gene-editing field and timeline, CRISPR continues to be utilized for research on stem cells and human diseases. Today, I will explain some of the most notable recent findings in the stem cell-CRISPR field. To start things off, I have also created an infographic that briefly explains what CRISPR-Cas9 is, …

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Seth Rogen is a stem cell pitching Prop 14 for CIRM in funny new video

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Should California’s Stem Cell Agency, more widely known as CIRM, get another round of funding from us California voters? I believe the answer is yes and I endorse Proposition 14, which would provide the funding for CIRM to translate dozens of clinical trials into some proven new stem cell-based treatments in the coming decade. However, …

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Recommended reads: Bee brain, COVID, from Russia with stem cells, pubs

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Reading to them was one of my favorite things to do with my kids when they were little, but it’s a long way from Goodnight Moon to this week’s list of recommended reads, although “bee brain” may have got their attention. Please take a minute to complete our The Niche reader survey for a chance …

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Georgia AG sues clinics & owner Justin Paulk

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More states have taken action against stem cell clinic-related firms in the past year than ever before and now we can add Georgia to the list. Georgia adds to growing list of state AGs suing stem cell clinics The George Attorney General Chris Carr filed suit against several related firms (going by various names over …

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Enter the Niche Reader Survey for chance at free stem cell swag

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It’s helpful for me to learn about the readers of this blog The Niche in terms of who you are and your backgrounds. Because some people may want to vote more than once on the types of posts they like the most, I’ve allowed re-voting on that poll. Free stuff Those who participate and leave …

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