The fields of science related to DNA have for a long time been gene-centric. By this I mean that most scientists working in these areas have focused their attention and their efforts on the genes that make the proteins and RNAs that are the workers of the cell. What’s left over that wasn’t genes mainly […]
I know. I know. Scientists are not supposed to publicly talk about the question of when life begins and about death, but these are kind of important things to talk about and think about, don’t you think? I do. So here goes…. It’s been a very intense, crazy few weeks for me and for many
Some thoughts on life, death, and stem cells Read More »
Yesterday, UC Davis Professor, Simon Chan, passed away. You can read more about Simon and the touching comments of many friends and colleagues of his here. When I heard the news, I felt like my heart stopped and I couldn’t breathe for a moment. How was this possible? It seems unreal. Ever since that moment
A tribute to UC Davis Professor, Simon Chan Read More »
What kind of laugh do you have and what kind of laugher are you? Chuckler? Giggler? Belly laugher? Quiet? Loud? Cry when you laugh? Can’t breathe when you laugh hard? Why do we laugh in the first place? There is actually a field of study of laughter called Gelotology, but despite this scientists do not really
The science of laughing: what one’s laugh says about you, our Presidents, & Mitt Romney 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 »
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 »
Qu’est-ce que les cellules souches? French Qu’est-ce que les cellules souches? Le corps humain est composé de centaines de différentes populations de cellules, lesquelles permettent à notre corps de fonctionner correctement et ainsi, elles sont essentielles dans le maintient d’une bonne santé. Par exemple, les cellules forment nos organes et donc permettent à notre cœur
Qu’est-ce que les cellules souches? Read More »
What to start a blog? With my concise advice below, you should be ready to get started. I say, “Go for it!” I know there are quite a lot of people interested in starting to blog, but perhaps a bit uncertain or even intimidated by the idea. I think this is especially true amongst scientists.
Top ten tips for blogging for scientists Read More »
For the first time to my knowledge, patients have sued a dubious stem cell clinic (RNL Bio) for fraud. As one stem cell expert has put it (see below), now there is “blood in the water”. RNL Bio of Korea has reportedly (hat tip to Leigh Turner) just been sued for fraud by patients related to stem
Korean stem cell clinic sued by patients in U.S. for fraud Read More »
As I’ve been writing this blog for the last couple years it has served as a catalyst for me to meet dozens of really interesting people. One such person is Lee Buckler, a true stem cell industry guru. Given all the complex events of late in the stem cell field, I asked Lee if he
Great interview with Lee Buckler on stem cell industry, regulatory issues, and Celltex Read More »