An “orchard” of cell production systems

by James Smith | Dec 18, 2014

. With contributions from David Brindley Manufacturing may not be the first thing that springs to mind when regenerative medicine is mentioned. Most will think of the enormous potential for cell therapies or transplantation or editing of faulty genes. However, having...

Making sure amazing things happen

by Guest | Dec 15, 2014

Joe Sornberger is Director of Communications Programs for the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation and author of the book “Dreams & Due Diligence: Till and McCulloch’s Stem Cell Discovery and Legacy.”   Amazing things can happen in 10 years. Consider the...

Right Turn: Video primer on stem cells better than a “Ruff” cut

by Stacey Johnson | Dec 12, 2014

. The Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH), part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, is holding its IHDCYH Talks competition to feature research that falls within its mandate of improving knowledge translation and demonstrating...

The value of a cure

by James Smith | Dec 11, 2014

. With contributions from David Brindley. We recently discussed the role that consortia could play in accelerating the timeline of discovering and implementing new treatments, covering the ‘partnering’ aspect of the ‘Partnering for Cures’ conference held in New York...

Surprising applications of economic thinking to scientific collaboration

by James Smith | Dec 9, 2014

. With contributions from David Brindley. Suppose you are a talented fisherman and an outstanding shoe-maker. You have abandoned your dreams of a career in the regenerative medicine industry because, in one day, you can catch 100 fish or make one complete pair of...

Inside a cancer stem cell researcher’s toolbox: CSC markers & flow cytometry

by Sara M. Nolte | Dec 8, 2014

> In my previous toolbox articles (sphere formation and xenotransplantation), I’ve talked about assays that are pretty useful in determining the existence of cancer stem cell (CSC) populations based on function. What these assays cannot do is provide us with a way...

Right Turn: Stem cells for conservation

by Peter Raaymakers | Dec 5, 2014

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, nearly 12,000 animal species are threatened with extinction today. There are many reasons for the precarious state of these species, and nearly as many plans to attempt...

Beta cell transplant, hype or hope?

by Mark Curtis | Dec 4, 2014

. The Edmonton Protocol for the transplantation of insulin producing cells into individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) has a cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) of ~$165,000. This is more than three times the willingness-to-pay (WTP) in Canada, and comfortably...

TED-Ed: An attempt at translating sciences to society

by Guest | Dec 1, 2014

By Sarthak Sinha In the two weeks following their release, over 250,000 individuals worldwide have watched and shared these two TED-Ed lessons (see below); a project we worked on for three months. As a reflection on this work, I wanted to share where it all started,...

Right Turn: Bands and bandages

by Stacey Johnson | Nov 28, 2014

. If you’ve never heard of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), you’re not alone. This rare genetic disease, which occurs in one of 20,000 births, creates fragile skin that tears at the slightest touch and results in blisters, sores and scar tissue. There is no cure. EB...