De-extinction is big right now and some of the extinct target creatures are big too like the woolly mammoth. “Let’s bring back these extinct creatures”, say proponents. Wouldn’t it be cool? I have to admit seeing a woolly mammoth, mastodon, or saber tooth tiger would be cool, but such efforts would not be without consequences […]
Why I oppose de-extinction of woolly mammoths Read More »
You can jailbreak your iPhone, but perhaps you can jailbreak a cell too to turn it into a stem cell. In his very cool talk up here at the Till & McCulloch Meeting on Stem Cells yesterday, Andras Nagy characterized the reprogramming process to make iPS cells as “jailbreaking” cell fate. Nagy described some intriguing studies done on
Jailbreak Cell Fate to Reprogram Stem Cells Read More »
Today’s post is my no-B.S. guide to the possibility of stem cells for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). There is a great deal of buzz about using stem cells to treat or even cure multiple sclerosis. How much of this stem cell buzz is real hope and how much is hype? Symptoms and standard MS care MS has
A no B.S. guide to stem cells for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Read More »
For the first time ever, scientists have successfully used somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) via the process of therapeutic human cloning to generate normal human embryonic stem cells (hESC). Recall that there are two kinds of human cloning: therapeutic (which is reported in the new paper discussed in this post) and reproductive, which is making
Human cloning successfully makes embryonic stem cells Read More »
I’m a fan of iPS cells, but my lab has been concerned about the similarities between induced pluripotency and cancer formation for many years. We just now published a paper that directly addressed the similarities of cancer and iPS cell transcriptomes. These are cause for concern and need to be faced as we contemplate clinical
iPS cells are similar to cancer cells paper, part 2: unsettled reviewers Read More »
Do you feel frustrated with the current peer review system in science? I have an idea that might help and it involves the revolutionary idea of reviewer accountability. In other words, authors and grant writers in essence review their reviewers. I’ve made this all the easier for you with templates that you can simply and
Transformative idea for peer review: reviewing & grading the reviewers Read More »
What are the most important iPS cell papers so far? 1) Yamanaka’s first paper on mouse iPS cells. Revolutionary. Intriguing perspectives presented in day 1 of the iPS cell field. Interesting statements such as Myc is required. Also take a look at those other reprogramming factors that he tested…there’s a tremendous amount there, largely unexamined.
What are the best iPS cell papers so far? Read More »
Yesterday I put out a post as a guide for scientists to insult each other. More insults have been forthcoming from the blog readerships including some even nastier ones. Most are just downright mean, but some are sexist or racist. Sadly these comments are real. They skewer you and roast you over the coals, often
Insults 2.0: more ways scientists skewer each other Read More »
Why are stem cells called stem cells? “Stem cell” is one of those terms we use all the time without thinking about it, but where did the name come from originally? Why do we call these particular cells that meet given criteria, “stem cell”? The name “stem” would appear to be a reflection of their
What’s in the stem cell name? Trunk cells & more Read More »