Is a treatment based on stem cells for Parkinson’s Disease on the horizon? A Japanese team of researchers led by Dr. Jun Takahashi, professor at Kyoto University is reportedly aiming to start on human studies of an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-based treatment for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) as early as fiscal year (FY) 2014. In […]
Trial of Stem Cells for Parkinson’s Disease on Horizon Read More »
UPDATE: A second recent study, this one in Nature Genetics has found a novel genetic link between the immune system and Parkinson’s Disease. The authors were screening for genomic variants unique to Parkinson’s patients, finding known ones but also a novel linkage. The link was with the HLA region, known to play a key role
Parkinson’s Disease, promising new results on iPS cells Read More »
Some of you may know that gardening is one of my hobbies and I see it as akin to science, even like growing stem cell cultures. Tomatoes are my favorite thing to grow. About ten years ago I started sprouting my own tomato plants from seed. It’s surprisingly easy with grow lights. This way you
Weekly stem cell reads: tomato stem cells, FDA blacklist, CALEC, odd RFK Jr. summit Read More »
A new Florida stem cell bill directly challenges the FDA and its CBER branch. If passed, which seems relatively likely, the Florida bill would become of state trend. A Utah stem cell law and a broader Nevada biologics law legally okay non-FDA approved biologics. These and other pending state efforts pose major risks to FDA
Florida stem cell bill is part of state trend to sidestep FDA Read More »
The Japanese stem cell and regenerative medicine oversight system is different than here in the U.S. and in Europe. Japan has had a more permissive approach to overseeing regenerative medicine. While most of the attention has focused on fairly legitimate regenerative biotechs and other sponsors in Japan, there are unproven stem cell clinics there. These
Japanese stem cell clinic oversight: the case of MSC clinic Seijikai Fukuoka Read More »
Did you predict the major events in the stem cell and regenerative medicine field this year? I tried and today’s post are the grades on my predictions. Prediction is a key part of being a scientist even if we may not think about it that much. For instance, we have to try to predict what
Grading my 20 stem cell & regenerative medicine predictions for 2024 Read More »
Toward the end of each year I make predictions for the stem cell and regenerative medicine field for the coming year. I’ve been doing this for more than a dozen years in various forms. In this post I’m looking at the (gene-edited, stemness enriched) tea leaves for 2025 for the regenerative arena. These predictions include
25 stem cell & regenerative medicine predictions for 2025 Read More »
What are the most significant stem cell and regenerative medicine good news stories of 2024? Since it has been an eventful year, there are many possibilities. Please see our poll at the bottom of this post and weigh in on what you think is the most important encouraging news. If you don’t see your choice
Poll on stem cell & regenerative medicine good news of 2024 Read More »
The FDA just warned a Florida stem cell clinic firm called Mother Stem Institute run by Dr. Alvaro Skupin. Background: Mother Stem Institute past issues I’ve written about this clinic and Dr. Skupin in the last few years. Just about a year ago I blogged the news that a patient suit against the clinic was
FDA warns Mother Stem Institute & Alvaro Skupin Read More »
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells or MSCs are widely used by unproven clinics, but MSC research also suggests real promise in specific areas. Clinics mainly use adipose MSCs (often called SVF) or bone marrow MSCs. However, umbilical cord MSC preparations are getting more popular too. Many questions swirl around the use of MSCs including what exactly are