The FDA stem cell meeting that was supposed to take place in April is now officially going to be a 2-day event in September. This public meeting is meant to get comments on four draft guidances related to regs on stem cell products and treatments.
FDA stem cell meeting now a 2-day public event in September Read More »
A new paper from Shoukhrat Mitalipov’s lab on stem cell mitochondria points to a pattern whereby induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells tend to have more problems if they are from older patients. What does this paper mean for the stem cell field and could it impact more specifically the clinical applications of IPS cells? The new
New Mitalipov paper on stem cell mitochondria: challenge for IPS cell field? Read More »
Over the years some scientists including yours truly have expressed concerns about the possibility that mutations could crop up during the reprogramming process to make induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS cells or IPSC). How concerned should we be about IPS cell mutations? A cool new paper, Bhutani, et al, in Nature Communications from a team led by
For IPS cell mutations, some reassuring new data but validation still key Read More »
The stem cell arena is a complicated universe with a whole range of things going on at any one time and there’s usually ample negative things, but not all is bad news. It’s interesting to regularly look specifically at the good stem cell news out there. Below is a look at some top pieces of
Stem cell good news to start 2016 Read More »
By Heather Main I was a little ashamed of myself that I didn’t know who half of the finalists were in Paul Knoepfler’s Stem Cell Person of the Year Award. I decided to look into it and find out what (or who) I have missed…..Interestingly, 3 of the 7 listed here are not scientists but
Mini-bios on finalists for Stem Cell Person of the Year Read More »
I always like to do a bunch of science reading on the weekend when it’s quiet including stem cells, but also many other areas such as brain tumors and more. Here are some TGIF science links to thought-provoking reading. CRISPR stuff Where in the world could the first CRISPR baby be
TGIF science links: CRISPR, stem cells, caffeine, & more Read More »
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology is red-hot right now and I’ve been doing interviews with various thought leaders on it, which today includes Steven Pinker. This technology has great power for research in the lab and there are hypothetical transformative clinical applications of CRISPR too. The latter efforts could include experimental attempts at reversal of disease-causing
Steven Pinker interview: case against bioethocrats & CRISPR germline ban Read More »
The classic sci-fi movie Fantastic Voyage keeps coming to mind for me as I see and do research involving organoids. In it, the heroes travel inside of the human body in a craft, observing all kinds of awesome biology in an up close and personal kind of way on route into the brain with the goal
Fantastic organoid voyage: views from inside organoids Read More »
You probably have heard by now about the controversial video (below) showing the senior director of medical services of Planned Parenthood, Deborah Nucatola, discussing the procurement and distribution of fetal tissues from abortions for research. The film was taken secretly using a hidden camera by anti-abortion activists who concealed their real identities. It was edited
Perspectives on Planned Parenthood Fetal Tissue Video Read More »
Last week I attended Biotech & the Ethical Imagination (BEINGS 2015), the summit I previewed on this blog back in early May. It many ways the summit lived up to its lofty ambitions. Steven Pinker kicked off the event by emphasizing the power and importance of biomedical research, noting that almost everyone is affected by
Recap of BEINGS 2015 Meeting by Aaron Levine: Shaping Future of Cellular Biotech Read More »