Is it worth it to do stem cell banking? When I was a kid I remember hearing about people having themselves frozen or even just their heads frozen shortly after death. The idea was to cheat mortality by preserving oneself or critical parts of oneself until some future date when scientists and doctors would have […]
Cryogenics to stem cell banking: time for deposit? Read More »
I’ve been working for a couple years on SCOPE, the Stem Cell Outreach Program for Education. Our motto is “stem cells not lost in translation!” This program aims to provide concise and clear educational materials about stem cells to as many readers across the world in their native languages as possible. To date, we have
I keep seeing these eerie parallels between thalidomide & dubious stem cell treatments. What’s the first rule of medicine again? Do no harm! Rushing new medicines such as stem cell treatments to patients without appropriate preliminary studies to try to make money is like playing Russian Roulette with patients. Some of the time, everything will
Eerie parallels between thalidomide & dubious stem cell treatments Read More »
Where do things stand on the potential of stem cell treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS)? MS is an often devastating autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own nervous system. More info can be found at the National MS website here. MS is a very serious health problem globally as about 400,000 people
Stem cell treatments for multiple sclerosis: where do things stand? Read More »
Could Usain Bolt’s doctor be treating athletes with unproven stem cell treatments? The idea is not so far-fetched, I was surprised to learn. Read on. Bolt is an amazing sprinter. He’s a joy to watch. During the 2012 Olympics I’ve watched a few of his races and he has had almost super-human speed. The winner
Usain Bolt’s doctor giving athletes unproven stem cell treatments? Read More »
How does Texas stem cell clinic Celltex make their stem cell drug? This is a very key question as the answers will help the stem cell field evaluate this drug’s potential safety and efficacy. I’m calling it a “drug” because the FDA called Celltex a “drug manufacturer” and by all past FDA precedent as well
My ongoing Q&A with Celltex on their stem cell drug production methods Read More »
Today there is an editorial piece in the WSJ about the recent court ruling giving the FDA authority to regulate stem cells grown in culture as drugs. As a stem cell scientist, I read this opinion piece with interest. Unfortunately it is behind a paywall, but I have outlined and discussed the key issues below.
WSJ editorial on issue of stem cells as drugs misses the boat Read More »
Are we ready to start using iPS cells in patients in the near future? Say in just a couple years? Are they ready for primetime? I think the answer is clearly “no”. I believe that iPS cells, a new type of stem cells, are one of the most exciting and important developments in biomedical sciences
iPS cells not quite ready for primetime? Read More »
What would a Romney victory mean for MS patients? Not good news I believe. As we’ve sort of, kinda gotten to know the Romney’s as potential President and First Lady, we’ve all learned some interesting things about them. I, for one, do not feel as though I know them very well still. Like many Americans,
Why a Romney victory would equal a big defeat for MS patients Read More »
Clinicaltrials.gov is where you want to go for finding a certain clinical trial and studies. Note that this U.S. database Clinicaltrials.gov includes international trials. It is a very powerful tool! Check it out here to do your own searches. Also follow me on Twitter for all the latest info and expert analysis: http://twitter.com/pknoepfler and this patient’s
Tool to easily search for a stem cell clinical trial for your disease Read More »