Here is a link to the Ocata website, marking the start of a new era for what was formerly Advanced Cell Technology or ACT. It’s been a big summer for stem cell biotech Advanced Cell Technology (ACT; stock ACTCD) as it continues what I would call a process of reinventing itself. What’s been happening? ACT recently […]
ACT reinventing itself with new name Ocata Therapeutics Read More »
The reviews of a STAP paper submitted to and rejected by the journal Science in 2012 were posted at Retraction Watch yesterday. They filled in some gaps in the puzzle of the series of events that led to such flawed science being published in Nature in January 2014, but the reviews also raised more questions. Today, more STAP paper
STAP papers blistered by Nature’s own reviewers were then accepted Read More »
I invited Neuralstem CEO, Richard Garr, to do a Q&A interview and he kindly accepted. The interview provides some novel insights into this major biotech in the stem cell sector. 1. How is Neuralstem doing today? What programs are underway that you find particularly exciting? Garr: Neuralstem is moving on all cylinders these days on
Interview with Neuralstem CEO Richard Garr Read More »
Would you go to grad school again? I am doing some polling on whether people who have finished graduate school would go again, why or why not, and what their current position is at this time. I found the responses to be surprising and interesting. Almost two-thirds of respondents indicated they would do grad school again
In polling, would you go to grad school again & why or why not Read More »
The last two years at Nature Magazine have seen a surprising wave of paper retractions. In 2013 and now just so far in 2014, Nature has retracted a total of 14 papers. How unusual is that? Historically, Nature retracts relatively few papers, perhaps just under two per year on average. What the heck has been going on in 2013-2014? Let’s break it
Could Nature’s 2-year torrent of paper retractions be a good thing? Read More »
Who should you follow on Twitter amongst all the biologists out there? Actually, it very much depends on your interests and what you want to get out of it. Below is my list of top biologists/biology writers that I, with all my many biases (see below) recommend to you to follow on Twitter, in no particular order (actually
A List of Top Biologists to Follow on Twitter Read More »
Before I did the #icebucketchallenge, I challenged the leader of Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), Dr. Bob Lanza, to do the Ice Bucket Challenge. He did it and leading up to it he provided a quite articulate message for context (see video below). Bob is one very cool guy even without ice water. The purpose of the
ACT’s Bob Lanza Does the #IceBucketChallenge Read More »
I was challenged to do the Ice Bucket Challenge by Roman Reed. I did it yesterday and can see it was mighty cold! Total shock, but fun. It sure wakes you up. Yeah, we have a drought but I did the big splash with tons of ice. I did the challenge in honor of patients
Where I Do The Ice Bucket Challenge & Who Did I Challenge? Read More »
This is Part 2 of my interview with ALS and stem cell advocate, Ted Harada. You can read Part 1 of my talk with Ted on where things stand today with ALS, the FDA, and the Ice Bucket Challenge. What’s your opinion of the “Right To Try” law in Colorado and the concept more generally?
Interview with Ted Harada Part 2: Right To Try, Neuralstem, and How He’s Doing Read More »
What kind of scientist are you and do you engage in transactional science? I suspect that all of us scientists like to think that most of the work that we do is transformative and that we are a transformative scientist. In science we hear quite a lot about the importance of transformative, innovative science. But can
Is transactional science kicking transformative science’s butt? Read More »