One of my inspirations as a stem cell blogger was the pioneering Nature blog, the Niche. I was disappointed when it ended in 2009, but it still is a model of what excellence in science blogging is all about. In this piece today, I interview the co-Founder of the Niche, Dr. Natalie DeWitt. DeWitt now …
Interview with Natalie DeWitt, Founder of Nature’s pioneering stem cell blog, the Niche Read More »
It is always exciting when a biomedical technology as revolutionary as iPS cells is on the cusp of being used in patients for the first time. In the last few days stories have reported about how a proposed clinical trial based on iPS cells has completed several regulatory steps and is closer to starting. This …
I recently did a Q&A interview with NeoStem CEO Dr. Robin Smith. I posted Part 1 of that interview a few days ago here. Now we have part two focused on VSEL, ES cells, and iPS cells. PK: I frequently have readers of my blog ask questions about VSEL. They seem puzzled and unsure of …
Interview with NeoStem CEO Robin Smith Part 2: VSEL, ES cells, and iPS cells Read More »
I believe and have argued for years that Shinya Yamanaka, the discoverer of induced pluripotent stem cells (aka iPS cells) deserves the Nobel Prize. I’m very glad today that he received it. Some readers may find it a bit ironic that I believe so strongly in this way since over the years I have often …
Why Yamanaka deserved the Nobel Prize for induced pluripotent stem cells Read More »
Yesterday I announced the category 1 (age 18 or younger) winner of my stem cell essay contest. The fascinating topic was what do we become if we start replacing our parts with transplants. Prize? Publication and $50 iTunes gift card. Today I announce the winner of Category 2, Agnes Oshiro of Davis, CA. Congratulations, Agnes. …
Stem Cell Essay Contest Winner Category 2: Agnes Oshiro Read More »
Update in 2020: It seems now after all these years that the consensus in the now more mature field is that IPSCs and ESCs are nearly identical in most cases, and both have some of the same translational challenges such as teratoma-forming activity. It’s interesting to read this post from nearly 10 years ago and …
iPS cells coming into focus: not quite so similar to ESC after all Read More »