A group of researchers led by Evan Snyder (paper discussed here) published a paper in PNAS on a new type of neural stem-like cell whose pluripotency can be turned ON or OFF by turning the v-myc gene ON or OFF using a conditional system of expression, called a “Tet-ON” system. In this system, tetracycline or its […]
“Alternative” to IPS cells, ICSP, are very cool, but for now a no-go for the FDA Read More »
Just how tumorigenic are iPS cells? The field really doesn’t know at this point. However, a steady stream of papers have raised red flag after red flag about genomic and epigenomic alterations/mutations that are linked to cancer. Of course, then there is the fact that all the genetic changes actually used to make reprogrammed cells
Secret Not so Secret Recipe for Safer iPS cells Read More »
A growing body of evidence has convincingly argued that iPS cells contain numerous abnormalities at the genetic and epigenetic levels. Often these changes have links to the machinery in cells that is responsible for cancer. As a result, many in the stem cell field have raised the notion that iPS cells may never be able
New papers support growing serious safety concerns about iPS cells Read More »
The Oklahoma State Legislature is reportedly poised to potentially pass an outright ban of ES cell research. While in the past similar legislation was vetoed by previous Oklahoma Governor, Democrat Brad Henry, current Republican Governor Mary Fallin is likely to sign the legislation. The Oklahoman newspaper website today contains a factually incorrect, inflammatory piece by
Oklahoma leaders: ES cell research is not OK Read More »
Is CIRM the tops? Overall, not focusing just on ES cell research, who is the largest funding agency in the world for stem cell research? CIRM funding If you think about CIRM, funding stem cell grants just in California, versus NIH funding stem cell research across the country, who might you imagine would have provided
CIRM is the largest funder of overall stem cell research in the world Read More »
Each year brings more evidence that what causes many cancers is a case of biological betrayal on the part of stem cells via cancer stem cells. I have blogged before about the potential for stem cell-based regenerative medicine therapies to aid cancer patients. I have also written before about my own experiences as a cancer
Cancer Stem Cells: a new target Read More »
How is Geron doing along with other stem cell biotechs? What’s going on these days with biotech companies working on stem cell-based products? Geron and ACT Geron’s and Advanced Cell Technology (ACT)’s FDA-approved trials presumably continue. As expected, no news yet. It’s too soon. Two important questions regarding both these companies are (1) did they
Stem cell biotech updates: Geron, ACT, Neuralstem, Pfizer Read More »
It’s been more than 4 years since Shinya Yamanaka published the remarkable finding that his lab could transform or “reprogram” regular cells called fibroblasts into a very unique state that was quite similar to that of embryonic stem cells (ESC). Yamanaka called these new cells “iPS cells” for induced pluripotent stem cells. iPS cells Since
The Inside Scoop on iPS cells early in 2011 Read More »
What are recent trends in Stem Cell Research Funding? My post yesterday on the problems with the current system of stem cell funding generated a lot of interest from readers– more than a dozen left comments. Many of the comments were insightful even if readers disagreed on certain points. David Jensen also posted on an
Trends in Stem Cell Research Funding: where do we go from here? Read More »
Great ideas are the foundation of science, but funding makes great ideas become realities and a monopoly on funding hurts science. UPDATE: NIH data backs up our conclusions: overfunding wastes precious resources–give the money to smaller labs. Arguably the key driver of the exciting progress in stem cell research is funding. With the stakes so
Stem cell monopoly: do not pass go, do not collect $200,000 Read More »