Every now and then a paper on stem cells lands many international headlines and also captures people’s imaginations. This seems to be the case for the recent urine stem cell paper from a team in China, which has made huge headlines. In addition to mainstream media, the paper was covered in Wired here and also by one […]
Why did urine stem cell paper create global media sensation? Read More »
Have I got a stem cell for you! We hear a lot about the dangers of an increasing number of rogue stem cell clinics, but another critical trend has flown more under the radar: direct marketing of stem cells to doctors. This is big business and arguably one of the biggest threats to patients. In
Stem cell black market emerging in the U.S. Read More »
One of the most exciting types of stem cells are mesenchymal stem cells or MSCs. Although there is some debate about these cells (e.g. I once heard Irv Weissman say at a meeting he wasn’t sure they really existed as such), a consensus would seem to be that they have great potential medical potential. Perhaps
Mapping global trends in MSC & stem cell clinical trials: unexpected findings Read More »
The Knoepfler Lab Blog is giving out a Stem Cell Person of the Year 2012 Award (details here) with a cash prize of $1000. The deadline for nominations for this award is in 10 days. So far I’ve received almost 20 nominations, but I’d like even more. Call me crazy for this as it’ll just
Ten days until nominations due for Knoepfler Lab Stem Cell Person of the Year 2012 Award Read More »
Celltex is a stem cell company in Texas most well known for Guv Rick Perry’s stem cell transplant. The Celltex business model is to isolate, amplify, and bank patients’ stem cells for subsequent treatment by physicians (for more background including on the FDA role see here and here). Until the last few weeks, an important element
Celltex and former partner RNL Bio/Biostar sue each other: what’s going on? Read More »
This morning here at The World Stem Cell Summit there was a healthy, frank discussion of the risks associated with receiving unlicensed, unproven stem cell therapies. Dr. Jim Guest presented first and gave a great talk about the risks associated with stem cell treatments. One such risk that was mentioned is inadequate characterization of stem
Frank panel on hidden dangers of stem cell treatments to patients at WSCS2012 Read More »
Courthouse News Service is reporting that Texas stem cell company Celltex is being sued by Biostar/RNLBio. This is big news as RNLBio was running the Celltex clinic to expand stem cells. Assuming the Courthouse News report is accurate, it suggests that Celltex and their key partner are in the middle of a potentially ugly breakup.
Celltex & RNLBio/Biostar: breaking up is hard to do? Read More »
George Daley stem cell field SWAT analysis. He argues that the biggest threats to the stem cell field are premature and illegitimate clinical applications. He stresses need for innovation including by surgeons but cautions strongly against rushing therapies.
World Stem Cell Summit Blogging: Daley Plenary Talk Read More »
Supposedly there is a type of normal adult stem cell that intrinsically possesses many of the same properties as embryonic stem cells (ESCs). No reprogramming needed. No blastocysts needed. These reportedly amazing cells, called Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSELs), can in theory be isolated from umbilical cord blood (UCB) or even bone marrow. Yet
The Vegas trial of Dr. Ralph Conti, accused of dangerous stem cell fraud, is going on and reportedly some of the testimony is astonishing in terms of the attitudes of point-of-care, for profit stem cell clinic disregard for their patients. The doctor is quoted that in terms of the stem cell treatments of human patients