Dr. Kelly Shepard is the Associate Director of Discovery and Translation at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). CIRM was created by the voters of California in 2004. The agency funds stem cell research at institutions and companies throughout California with the goal of accelerating treatments to patients with unmet medical needs.

Intestinal Organoids for Regeneration – Researchers have generated a functional small intestinalized colon using ileum-derived organoids, offering a possible strategy for short bowel syndrome treatment.

Gene Disrupts Lipid Homeostasis in Glia – Scientists have shown that APOE4 has widespread effects on the brain’s ability to metabolize lipids and respond to stress, offering an explanation for why the gene enhances Alzheimer’s risk.

Maturation of Year-Old Brain Organoids – 3D cultures of human brain cells kept alive for nearly a year have been shown to undergo transitions in gene activity that resemble those seen in newborns.

Brain Cell Grafts Reverse Parkinson’s Symptoms – Grafting neurons grown from a monkey’s own cells into their brain relieved the debilitating movement and depression symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Kelly Shepard

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