I recently ran a poll on my blog about how the FDA is doing on handling stem cell clinics. There is substantial debate in the stem cell arena about how the FDA handles stem cell clinics ranging from the view that the agency is far too strict to excessively lenient. The results of the poll […]
FDA far too weak on stem cell clinics says poll Read More »
Science can come in various forms ranging from numbers to words to images, but it’s always more fun as a contest. In the stem cell field, some of the images can be particularly striking. One of my own favorites is the one above that I took some years ago of differentiation of neural stem cells
Stem cell image contest: $100 prize Read More »
There’s a growing stream of stem cell good news of late. Stem cell biotech, TiGenix, reported encouraging Phase 3 allogeneic results on stem cells. A big milestone. I can’t wait to see the actual data. Its product, Cx601, has so far been safe and effective for perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease. See more from Alexey on this. CIRM has funded the largest
Stem cell good news briefs: TiGenix, Asterias, CIRM, Awards, & More Read More »
I recently chatted with Sean Morrison, current President of ISSCR, on his goals for the Society, where the stem cell field stands today, top challenges, and the future. 2020 update: read my new interview with Sean on cell therapies for COVID-19. What are your goals for your tenure as President of ISSCR? SM: ISSCR is the
ISSCR President Sean Morrison on challenges and future of stem cell field Read More »
Stem cells took a trip near to space in a test capsule and reportedly returned alive and apparently well. What was the story with the stem cells being tested in this way for future time in space? Space.com reports: The RED-4U capsule was created by Terminal Velocity Aerospace (TVA) to return science experiments to Earth
Stem cells “wild ride” in space capsule Read More »
Can cells produced from autologous induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC or IPS cell) cultures sometimes be immunogenic in patients? This key question has remained somewhat unsettled due to varied findings over the years (e.g. see here), but many of us had generally felt in the last couple years that IPS cell derivative immunogenicity in an
IPS Cell Immunogenicity, Clinical Insights, & Possible Solutions Read More »
One of the biggest claims related to stem cells and in particular to induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC or IPS cells) of 2015 came just yesterday about growing a human fetal brain. A press release from Ohio State University reports that two of its researchers had grown a nearly full-formed human fetal brain. My initial reaction
Healthy skepticism needed on claim of stem cell-derived human fetal brain Read More »
Ready for some stem cell good news? It can be difficult at times in a cutting edge field like stem cells in terms of keeping upbeat about hopes of rapid translation to help patients with real, proven therapies. It takes a long time, money, dedication, and even a bit of luck for the researchers and
6 recent stem cell good news stories including on liver disease Read More »
ISSCR Chat By Michael Cea Jeanne Loring of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California kindly sat down with me at the ISSCR annual meeting for a broad discussion of her history, views on the field and developments in the science. I found Jeanne a refreshing character, as I did a number of others I was
Michael Cea ISSCR chat with Jeanne Loring on stem cell field Read More »
To get from point A of a stem cell discovery to point B of a patient actually receiving a treatment based on that discovery is a long and non-linear road, which requires biotech company research. Stem cell biotech companies including publicly traded companies are an integral part of the field making that journey. How those
Tale of 7 stem cell biotech stock woes Read More »