Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg is a stem cell pioneer and has advanced the development of innovative stem cell therapies including those based on umbilical cord blood. She is a faculty member at Duke where she conducts her clinical research. I recently interviewed Dr. Kurtzberg and below is Part 1 of 2 of the interview. Part 2, …
Stem Cell Pioneer Joanne Kurtzberg interview, Part 1 Read More »
On his show, Conan O’Brien on Monday (7/29/13) made a stem cell joke, perhaps without even realizing it. The joke was reprinted in the SacBee this morning (see image at right). The joke is based on the recent development of a synthetic hamburger made from stem cells in a lab (you can read more here). …
Conan O’Brien Makes Stem Cell Joke on Test Tube Burger Read More »
Every now and I then I try to take some time to think about the focus of this blog and the direction it is going. In the most recent case, I got the feeling that perhaps I have giving too discouraged or negative an impression on the blog lately….focusing too much on the challenges and …
Why I am very optimistic about the future of the stem cell field Read More »
This is the fourth post in a series I’m doing on an FOIA release of letters between Texas stem cell clinic Celltex and the FDA. The first three posts, which include helpful background and discussion of other FOIA material from Celltex, can be found here, here, and here. Today’s post is focused on a newly …
Celltex FDA FOIA Letter #3 Raises Key New Questions Read More »
One of the more controversial areas in the stem cell field has been over a stem cell type that only a handful of researchers have been able to find and study: very small embryonic-like stem cells or VSELs. These days some are calling them V-cells too. I’ve been getting an increasing number of questions from …
What are VSELs and why are more clinics selling them? Read More »
What does homologous use mean? Navigating the arena of clinical use of a biologic such as stem cells or differentiated cells made from stem cells can be challenging. There are many important issues including what defines “minimal manipulation” of biologics such as cells. One particular issue that is critically important and has drawn less attention …
Time to bone up on homologous use in the stem cell field Read More »
What the heck is going on with Intellicell Biosystems, Inc. (SVFC, also SVFCE), a stem cell corporation run by Dr. Steven Victor? Why are some on Wall Street seeming so bullish on the company lately? What’s the real story and the facts? What is the key background on this company? Wall Street has been buying …
Wall Street Weirdness Over Stem Cell Biotech Intellicell (SVFC) Read More »
Over at Health in the Global Village, Leigh Turner yesterday published an excellent piece updating us all on the latest news on Korean stem cell company RNL BIo (알앤엘바이오) and its leader, Dr. Jeong Chan Ra (라정찬 ). Addition: The story was reported in several Korean news outlets including Hani here. A video here by MBC News of Korea, one …
Jeong Chan Ra Arrest: Can RNL Bio (알앤엘바이오) Survive? Read More »
I’m doing a series of posts on my recent conversation with BioTime CEO and pioneer of the stem cell field, Dr. Mike West. You can read Part 1 and Part 2 on Geron, ACT, and the history of the pluripotent stem cell field, particularly embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Today in Part 3, I am focusing on …
Mike West Interview Part 3: key flaw in stem cell field Read More »
Texas Governor Rick Perry just announced that he will not run again for governor. This political development has important impact in the stem cell field, particularly in the state of Texas. Perry is one of the biggest advocates of certain types of adult stem cell commercialization. When he is no longer governor there will be impact …
Celltex advocate Rick Perry will not run again for Texas governor: stem cell impact Read More »