CIRM Stem Cell #SciencePitch Challenge

For scientists, the importance of explaing their work to the average person is critical. If they can't make their research comprehensible and engaging they risk losing the attention of journalists, potential donors, politicians, or all those good people whose tax money funds their science.

To help promote better science communication with the public, CIRM held an elevator pitch video challenge at the 2013 CIRM Grantee Meeting March 7-9 in San Francisco. Participants recorded pitches (ideally 30 seconds or less) describing their research on camera at the meeting. Those who could not attend the meeting sent in their videos. Thanks to everyone for participating.

Stem Cell Clinical Trials: Staying on the Critical Path

Many challenges and roadblocks face researchers who are trying to develop therapies into safe, effective and curative products for patients. At the 2013 CIRM Grantee Meeting, several experts spoke to CIRM-funded project teams during the Staying on the Critical Path Workshop to help them anticipate the preclinical, manufacturing, and regulatory issues that crop up along the developmental path.

Pediatric Heart Disease: Spotlight on Stem Cell Advances

Progress and Promise in Stem Cell Research

A CIRM video series that highlights recent progress toward stem cell-based therapies for several diseases and conditions.

Stem Cell Basics

A series of videos describing the basics of stem cell research developed by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

CIRM News

News about research funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Alzheimer's: Ask the Stem Cell Expert, Larry Goldstein UCSD

Larry Goldstein of UC San Diego answers questions about finding stem cell based therapies for Alzheimer's disease and about the stem cell field in general. Dr. Goldstein is a CIRM grantee and director of the UC San Diego stem cell program.

For more information about CIRM-funded Alzheimer's research, visit our fact sheet at: http://www.cirm.ca.gov/Alzheimers_Disease_Facts

To learn more about the efforts of California's Stem Cell Agency to accelerate the development of new therapies for chronic disease and injury, visit our home page at: http://www.cirm.ca.gov

Using Stem Cells to Cure Liver Disease

Healing Bones with Stem Cells: CIRM Spotlight on Disease

On March 21, 2012, the CIRM Governing Board heard about the progress in stem cell based repair of untreatable bone fractures and deformities.

Applying for Stem Cell Research Funding from CIRM

This March 3, 2010 Webinar hosted by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) provides guidelines on writing a competitive application for stem cell research funding from CIRM. Speakers include CIRM staff, CIRM grant reviewers, and for-profit companies that have applied for and been awarded CIRM grants.

Genomics: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research

On January 17th, 2012, the CIRM Governing Board heard about the essential role of genomics in the development of stem cell based therapies.

Heart Failure: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research

CIRM has funded a $5.5 million Disease Team to develop a follow-on cardiac stem cell clinical trial that uses a patient's own heart stem cells to regenerate scarred tissue damaged by a heart attack. The team is led by Eduardo Marbán, MD, PhD, Director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. Marbán presented the team's latest progress at the December 8th, 2011 CIRM Governing Board meeting. Fred Lesikar, a participant in a current trial, also spoke to Board and described the dramatic improvement he's experienced since receiving his heart stem cells two years ago.

Sickle Cell Anemia: Spotlight on Stem Cell Gene Therapy

CIRM has funded a $9 million disease team to develop a more effective and safer bone marrow transplant to treat sickle cell disease (here is a summary of that work). The team is led by Dr. Donald Kohn, director of the Human Gene Medicine Program at UCLA, a scientist with the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA and a professor of microbiology and pediatrics. Kohn spoke to the CIRM Governing Board about his team's progress. Nancy Rene, a patient advocate for the Sickle Cell Foundation of California, spoke about the impact of sickle cell anemia on her grandson's life.

Synapses Firing: Connections Made - Stem Cell Update

On May 7, 2011, the California Stem Cell Funding Agency hosted, "Synapses Firing: Connections Made", a patient advocacy event at UC-Irvine's Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. The 100+ people in attendance heard from patient advocates about living with neurodegenerative disease and from scientists about recent progress in stem cell research that may lead to new treatments.

Cardiovascular Therapies: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research

On March 10, 2011, the CIRM Governing Board heard from several speakers about cardiovascular therapies.

The Human Embryo and Embryonic Stem Cell Biology

On December 15, 2010, Renee Reijo Pera, PhD spoke to the CIRM Governing Board about her research studies of the human embryo and embryonic stem cells.

Using time lapse video of the embryo's initial cell divisions, Pera's lab identified parameters that can accurately predict human embryo viability. These findings could improve the success rate for couples trying to have children through in vitro fertilization as well as reduce the number of embryos used in the procedure.

Pera is director of Stanford's Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education. She was introduced by Robert Klein, chair of the CIRM Governing Board. She has a Comprehensive grant ( http://1.usa.gov/f7jloL ) and a New Cells Lines grant ( http://1.usa.gov/hkwaPl ) from CIRM.

Stroke: CIRM Spotlight on Stem Cell Research

On August 19, 2010, the CIRM Governing Board heard from a reseacher and patient about their perspectives on stroke.

Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS): Spotlight on Stem Cell Research

On June 23, 2010, the CIRM Governing Board heard from several speakers about the CIRM ALS Disease Team Award.

HIV/AIDS: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research

On April 29, 2010, the CIRM Governing Board heard from several speakers about the CIRM HIV/AIDS Disease Team Awards.

Huntington's: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research 2010

On March 11, 2010, the CIRM Governing Board heard from several speakers about Huntington's disease, an inherited neurodegenerative disorder.