Right Turn: Viewer discretion advised when regenerative medicine goes to the movies

by Stacey Johnson | Jun 14, 2019

Writers will know that inspiration can come from the strangest places. Earlier this week I came across a Twitter thread from “Dr Esther @EstOdek” who was amusingly upset (I think that’s an oxymoron) that she learned, too late for her PhD on starfish, that The Hulk’s...

Right Turn: Ethics, Australian culture and more when ISCT 2019 goes to Melbourne

by Stacey Johnson | Jun 7, 2019

Australian culture and pride were very much on display at ISCT 2019, the annual meeting of clinicians, regulators, researchers, technologists and industry who claim membership in the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT). While it was my first time...

Science Outside The Lab North 2019

by Farah Qaiser | May 27, 2019

What is science policy? How do I translate my research expertise into policymaking? And what does working in the federal public service involve? These were some of the questions swirling around in my head as I set off to attend the Science Outside The Lab North (SOtL...

The ever-expanding optogenetic toolkit

by Lyla El-Fayomi | May 22, 2019

A mouse with mysterious cables attached to its head explores an enclosure, casually walking past a small wooden stick, uninterested. Cut to another scene of the same mouse as it walks past the same stick – only this time, a light atop its head begins to glow. Without...

Right Turn: Disappointing news about regenerative medicine funding in Ontario

by Stacey Johnson | May 17, 2019

It was announced publicly this week that the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s (OIRM) funding will not be renewed after March 2020. Closing OIRM would be a significant loss to the regenerative medicine community in Ontario, where so many of Canada’s stem...

CCRM’s inaugural investor symposium: Recap and key takeaways

by Guest | May 8, 2019

Matthew Mistry is a Market and Equity Analyst at CCRM, where he conducts investment diligence, market analyses, participates in company creation activities and supports strategic business development. He joined CCRM from the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization...

Navigating the regulatory complexity of regenerative medicine in Canada

by Guest | Apr 30, 2019

Siofradh McMahon is Senior Manager, Clinical Translation and Regulatory Affairs at CCRM. Síofradh works with academic and industry partners to advance promising products and technologies to commercialization. Having worked worldwide, Síofradh brings more than a decade...

How to use Instagram to communicate real science really well

by Guest | Apr 25, 2019

Scott Gardner is on a communications placement at CCRM to complete his post-graduate program at Centennial College. He has experience in corporate communications for educational institutions in Ontario. A former journalist in Belleville Ontario, you can find Scott...

Study reveals large differences at the molecular level between stem cells grown on different biomaterials

by Jovana Drinjakovic | Apr 18, 2019

This article was first published here. It is reprinted with permission of the Donnelly Centre. Depending on the type of surface they adhere to in a lab dish, stem cells can exhibit vast differences at the molecular level with implications for research and therapy. The...

Right Turn: A letter to Joe Rogan about stem cells

by Stacey Johnson | Apr 12, 2019

Dear Joe, My worlds collided the other day when I stumbled upon your many, highly viewed stem cell videos on YouTube. You see, my husband is a huge fan of yours. He regularly watches UFC, he practices mixed martial arts and he boxes. He loves your podcast and watches...