Over the years I’ve heard from quite a few patients of stem cell clinics who feel very strongly about their experiences. Some have quite positive views on getting stem cell interventions, while others feel very negatively about the stem cell clinics. I’ve heard more of the latter kind of experience. People often tell me that […]
Some patients unhappy with stem cell clinics Read More »
By Heather Main This year I will be attending the World Stem Cell Summit for the first time (see @WSCSummit on Twitter). I was surprised when I looked at the program and recognized so few of the names of speakers; which made me question what this event was about, if not focused on stem cell research.
Good reasons to go to the World Stem Cell Summit Read More »
I’ve read a lot of bad writing in the past year including on prostate cancer. Lucky me, right? It’s probably true for most of us. However, a new piece in Slate on prostate cancer and the Movember movement (an effort that raises awareness and funds for prostate cancer research) takes the cake as the absolute worst
The worst thing I’ve read all year: @Slate piece on prostate cancer Read More »
Congratulations to Dr. Jeanne Loring, the winner of the Stem Cell Person of the Year Award for 2015. Facing steep competition from a very tough field of competitors of finalists, Jeanne came out as the winner for her exceptional contributions in 2015 and throughout her many years in the field. She not only has made
Stem Cell Person of the Year 2015: Jeanne Loring Read More »
The FDA released more draft guidance with strong relevance to the stem cell field. This October 2015 new draft guidance follows about a year after three other previous draft guidances that made it clear the current FDA thinking on various issues including stromal vascular fraction (SVF; fat stem cells) was much more restrictive than generally
More tough FDA draft guidance on stem cells…still no action Read More »
After 5 plus years as “Knoepfler Lab Stem Cell Blog”, we are now going by a new, broader name for the blog, The Niche. The Niche name better represents the sense that this site is a home and community including contributions by other writers and also commenters. I’m still working on a logo for The
A new name for this stem cell blog: The Niche Read More »
CRISPR-ful Noah’s Ark? Even as much of the discussion surrounding powerful new gene editing and cloning technologies has centered on their possible use in humans, the creation of genetically modified (GM) and cloned animals has advanced at warp speed. Some of these efforts have been for research, which is justified. But many seem profit-centered and
Noah’s GMO ark: is it ethical to create GM or cloned animals for sale as pets? Read More »
In a strange, but fascinating tale recounted by Antonio Regalado in an article over at MIT Tech Review, we hear the first claim of a do-it-yourself (DIY) gene therapy involving a firm called BioViva and its leader Liz Parrish. Liz Parrish and BioViva The owner of a small biotech called BioViva, Liz Parrish, reportedly traveled
Claim of Liz Parrish DIY gene therapy linked to unlicensed stem cell clinic Read More »
By Heather Main (from Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa) Mesa, one of my first Spanish words since moving to California. The isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides where I have just had the pleasure of listening to some of the best basic and applied science. Mountains of various sorts formed the metaphor of CIRM
Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa: Highlights from Heather Main Read More »
We hear so much about exciting potential stem cell therapies, but what about stem cell treatment cost? Some of these “therapies” are rigorously evaluated ones in the FDA clinical trial pipeline and others are available right now mainly through predatory stem cell clinics. Earlier this year I posted about the cost of the offerings of
Stem cell treatment cost 2.0: legit therapy Read More »