Search Results for: obokata

2nd chances after big misconduct? He Jiankui, James Wilson, others

/ / 3 Comments
James Wilson, Gene therapy

There have been rare instances like with scientist James Wilson where researchers were involved in what I would call major misconduct but somehow managed to bounce back. In a sense, they were given second chances in part by regulators but also by other scientists or supporters. However, after extraordinary misconduct, especially contributing to the death […]

2nd chances after big misconduct? He Jiankui, James Wilson, others Read More »

Paolo Macchiarini guilty in criminal stem cell case but does a Houdini again

/ / 3 Comments
Paolo-Macchiarini

Dr. Paolo Macchiarini exemplifies how things can change quickly in the stem cell world and go from sky highs to deep lows. Stem cell rollercoasters Over the years, a few academic stem cell researchers as well as some operators in the unproven clinic sphere have had dizzying ups and downs. There’s John Kosolcharoen. His company

Paolo Macchiarini guilty in criminal stem cell case but does a Houdini again Read More »

Recommended reads: Dux, 3D printed ear brings Vacanti mouse to mind, AMD, more

/ / 2 Comments
Vacanti Mouse

Eight years ago two new Nature papers broke on the scene reporting supposed STAP cells with one of the senior authors, Charles Vacanti of Harvard, most well known previously for making the so-called “Vacanti mouse” along with his brother Joseph. The Vacanti mouse had a bioengineered human ear growing on its back. While STAP cells

Recommended reads: Dux, 3D printed ear brings Vacanti mouse to mind, AMD, more Read More »

Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, & lessons for the stem cell field

/ / 9 Comments
Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos

When I read about Elizabeth Holmes and her blood testing startup Theranos I see parallels to hucksters in the arena of stem cells and cell therapy. I’m thinking especially of the unproven stem cell clinics out there. It goes farther than that though too, including people who aren’t hucksters at all but get caught up

Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, & lessons for the stem cell field Read More »

History tells us to be more skeptical of He Jiankui’s CRISPR baby story

/ / 2 Comments
Fake-cloning

Could He Jiankui have faked part or all of his CRISPR babies story? If so, how? Why? Or to put it another way, almost everyone seems to be assuming the story is real, but should we be more skeptical? Should we flip things around and assume the story isn’t entirely kosher until proven otherwise? I once

History tells us to be more skeptical of He Jiankui’s CRISPR baby story Read More »

Perspectives on high-profile stem cell retraction in the making from Kyoto University

/ / 4 Comments
IPS-cell-paper-retraction-requested

A researcher working at Kyoto University has reportedly engaged in misconduct leading to an institutional request for retraction of a paper from the journal Stem Cell Reports. The paper in question appears to have rather large-scale problems: “Kohei Yamamizu, a specially appointed assistant professor at the university’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, falsified all

Perspectives on high-profile stem cell retraction in the making from Kyoto University Read More »

Scientist’s dilemma: find a public voice on big issues or stay silent?

/ / 1 Comment
Scientists-Dilemma

There is a scientist’s dilemma: should you speak out on important, sometimes controversial issues in science, where you not only can potentially have positive impact, but also risk being attacked for it? Or do you remain silent? I’ve now been blogging for more than 7 years. I’ve battled the often exploitive for-profit stem cell clinics

Scientist’s dilemma: find a public voice on big issues or stay silent? Read More »

STAP cells (stap細胞) are real deal says new Vacanti patent declaration

/ / 14 Comments
Vacanti-STAP-figure-2017

STAP is back? Really? No, I don’t believe so, but there’s an interesting development and twist on the STAP cell front. Just a few days ago on January 4, 2017 Dr. Charles Vacanti, the originator of the STAP cells concept, submitted a declaration to the USPTO affirming the belief that STAP cells are real and requesting that

STAP cells (stap細胞) are real deal says new Vacanti patent declaration Read More »

Weekend reads: sperm, stem cells, chimeras, STAP, DNA Apps

/
sperm-and-egg

Here are some cool science reads to enjoy this weekend. Lab-grown sperm made from stem cells can’t swim, but are able to fertilize eggs, reports Eric Boodman over at STAT. Mouse-human neural crest chimeras: Not only a matter of black and white. Clever title. Antonio Regalado writes about a DNA App Store coming soon to a

Weekend reads: sperm, stem cells, chimeras, STAP, DNA Apps Read More »