Stem Cell Channel (Audio)

There are only two Northern White Rhinos left on the planet. How can we reverse extinction to save them and use the lessons learned to help other endangered species? Marisa L. Korody, PhD of the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research shares how scientists are using the latest in stem cell technology for a genetic rescue. Series: "Women in Science" [Science] [Show ID: 35227]

Marius Wernig, MD, PhD, discusses how his lab has worked to convert non-neuronal cell types (lymphocytes, pluripotent stem cells, fibroblasts, hepatocytes, lymphocytes) to neurons. The lab is now working on identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying induced lineage fate changes, the phenotypic consequences of disease-causing mutations in human neurons and other neural lineages. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Education] [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 35063]

With the capacity to form any tissue in the human body, induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs, are critical to the work of the UC San Diego Stem Cell program in studying disease and potential cures - but how are they made? This short primer outlines the basic steps to how these special cells are derived. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 34455]

A detailed overview of a study conducted by Alysson Muotri's lab at the UC San Diego Stem Cell Program which found complex network signaling developing in human cortical organoids that appear to recapitulate fetal brain development, offering an in-vitro model to study functional development of human neuronal networks. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 34267]

Brain organoids, or cortical organoids, hold much promise in finding interventions for neurological conditions, and have already proven useful in understanding the effects of Zika and rare neurological syndromes such as AGS. But how are they made? UC San Diego Stem Cell program project scientist Cleber Trujillo provides a brief overview of how the Muotri lab nurtures pluripotent stem cells into becoming brain organoids. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 34645]

Bioengineer Shaochen Chen has developed a method of 3D printing live human tissue that could one day be used to heal damaged spinal cords, hearts, and other vital organs. And, because his technology uses stem cells, the transplant tissue can be patient specific. Now, he's using his technique to help researchers Alysson Muotri and Karl Wahlin understand brain and eye development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 34336]

Tony Wynshaw-Boris, MD, PhD describes his lab's efforts to use mouse and IPSC models to find commonalities that give insight into the complex disorder of autism. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Education] [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 34977]

High school student Christopher Caligiuri teams up with renowned stem cell researcher Alysson Muotri to build a robot that interprets signals from lab-grown mini-brains. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 34270]

Top scientists are growing miniature brains and retinas from stem cells in their labs, and connecting them with 3D printed tissue. The team is hoping to gain new insight into the earliest stages of brain and eye development, in order to cure a whole host of diseases. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 34916]

Scientist Karl Wahlin is hoping to use the tiny retinas he's developed from stem cells to find a cure for blindness. Wahlin has teamed up with UC San Diego Stem Cell Program Director Alysson Muotri, who is using a similar technique to study the brain. Together, they hope to understand how the brain and the eye influence one another's development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 34273]