Congratulations to my new friends Paolo Bianco, M.D., of Sapienza University of Rome (pictured at left), Elena Cattaneo, Ph.D., of University of Milan and Michele De Luca, M.D. of University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (photo in the middle of the post), for receiving the 2014 ISSCR Public Service Award. Drs. Bianco, Cattaneo, and De Luca are […]
Congrats to Bianco, Cattaneo, & De Luca for ISSCR Award Read More »
One of the big stem cell-related stories of 2013 was the controversy over the Stamina Foundation in Italy and its potential use of largely untested stem cell products on patients, including mostly children. The winner of my 2013 Stem Cell Person of the Year Award was Dr. Elena Cattaneo and one reason she won was the courage
Nature Slams Controversial Stamina Foundation: A Dangerous Situation Continues Read More »
Yesterday I published a post that was important for two reasons here on The Niche. First it announced the 12 finalists for the Stem Cell Person of the Year 2013 Award. Second, it was the 1,000th post on this blog. How the heck did that happen? Cheers! Happy Friday!
TGIF: 1,000th Blog Post on The Niche Read More »
Unfortunately California Guv Jerry Brown vetoed AB714, the Roman Reed Act that would have greatly supported spinal cord research. Roman Reed is of course a top stem cell patient advocate and driving force in research. Roman received my Stem Cell Person of the Year Award last year (See picture at right). The contest for the
Interview with Roman Reed on Guv Grown’s Veto of AB714 Spinal Cord Injury Research Bill Read More »
My family is excited about the Grammys. Some members like the Oscars. We are not so into the Tonys, but millions of Americans are into them. We need an awards ceremony, maybe even a show for scientists. Scientists will never be the stars that artistic performers are, but it is sad and arguably a sign
We need an annual American awards ceremony for scientists Read More »
For a few years, biophysicist He Jiankui might have been one of the most recognizable scientists on the planet. He made three “CRISPR babies” or gene edited people. However, his gene editing went badly and as best as we can tell his efforts did not result in precision edits. It’s unclear if he had institutional
Nevada has a relatively new 2023 law legalizing non-FDA-approved biological and gene therapies. I use the word “therapies” here loosely. They are not scientifically or medically proven to work or be safe so they could lead to substantial harm. This is yet another early step in a likely growing trend of states challenging FDA authority
Combinations of human flesh and robots are more in the news lately. Sometimes the fleshy parts are grown from stem cells in a lab. Robots with fleshy faces Scientists in Japan Give Robots a Fleshy Face and a Smile, NYT. I’m working on a piece about robots in China with small, human brain-like structures. Stay tuned
Recommended reads: flesh-faced robots, ALS, Spina Bifida,neuronal CRISPR Read More »
Do many in the regenerative medicine field have favorite types of stem cells? Some seem to think there’s a tension between those working on pluripotent stem cells like iPS cells and those working with MSCs. I don’t see it that way, though. Whatever stem cells work best for a particular condition should be used and,
Weekly reads: diabetes, GvHD, Novo Nordisk & regenerative medicine, HDACs Read More »
People often ask me about stem cells for autism or even their hope of an autism cure. I’ve explained that there is no new treatment for autism based on stem cells. There aren’t even mildly encouraging data. Note that it can be hurtful to the community to talk about an autism cure and disregarding neurodiversity.