Longevity research is a growing part of the overall regenerative medicine field. Rewinding, when I first started blogging here on The Niche in 2010, longevity was more of a fringe field. In just 15 years, it has become a generally legit area, even if one often filled with hype. It has its share of scammers […]
There has been a sizable downturn for the CRISPR therapy biotech arena. Firms like Editas, Verve, Intellia, and even CRISPR Therapeutics, which has garnered an FDA approval, have had struggles recently. It feels like a disconnect here in a way because overall gene editing and gene therapy have never seemed more promising. But being a
I recently wrote about the upbeat early reports from two allogeneic trials of stem cells for Parkinson’s. Now there’s additional encouraging early news on this front but using patients’ own cells. This is one of the most promising areas of regenerative medicine. Stem cells for Parkinson’s: Aspen Neuroscience upbeat early data California biotech Aspen Neuroscience
It was another crazy week for me with tons of grant work, but news and research in the regenerative medicine world keep on popping up including a paper on MSCs for MS. I’ve realized that even when I’m trying to take a short break, I often see science and signs of stem cells popping up
Weekly reads: stem cells everywhere, MSCs for MS?, nanostickers, Makary update Read More »
What are pericytes? What about brain pericytes? How are they different than brain parasites? Pericytes on the brain Someone once asked me my favorite type of cell. As a cell biologist, I easily can’t pick just one. It’s like asking a parent to pick their favorite child. However, I will say that pericytes and microglia
Stem cells can be serious business, but sometimes stories come along that are just fun like a lady running a marathon dressed as a stem cell. How cool is this: “Louise Cato from Somerset is doing the run to raise money for the charity Anthony Nolan, after her dad had a bone marrow transplant over
Weekly reads: stem cell marathon, Ray Therapeutics, stem cells making you fat? Read More »
What’s life as an academic scientist really like now? It’s gotten worse in the U.S. recently. There’s more stress about funding including on levels that we can’t control. I’m writing too many grant proposals these days. I’m wondering how much researchers are now using AI for grant writing, which I have not done. Does AI
Weekly reads: robot scientist, stem cell sperm make a baby, assembloids & sense Read More »
I want to discuss a recent development with Humacyte and the FDA, but first, please check out a new video below that is a discussion between student Parmin Sedigh and me on the idea of stem cells for heart disease. Parmin has also written for The Niche and has her own site too. I am impressed
Weekly reads: Humacyte, retinal stem cells, stem cell therapy for knees & hearts Read More »
Most of us want longevity, especially if our quality of life remains generally solid as we age. The combination of length and quality of life is sometimes called “healthspan.” How do we get the maximum health span? Easier said than done. Not all of the obstacles are biological either. Unfortunately, accompanying all the legitimate research
Weekly reads: Topol on longevity biz, Peter Marks out at FDA, timeless NIH grant advice Read More »
Chinese CRISPR research continues to grow and this includes interesting CRISPR biotech firms. Some here in the U.S. worry that American gene editing firms could be lagging behind. Especially over the past year, investors and even some scientists have voiced frustration. U.S. gene editing firms like Editas have been struggling for years. Its stock is
Weekly reads: Chinese CRISPR biotechs, cultured meat war, MSCs for Alzheimer’s Read More »