Stories

USC CIRM COMPASS scholars with stem cell faculty members Senta Georgia, Francesca Mariani and Louise Menendez (Photo courtesy of Senta Georgia); featured image for Guided by COMPASS, USC undergraduates navigate stem cell research at inaugural symposium

Guided by COMPASS, USC undergraduates navigate stem cell research at inaugural symposium

Thirty undergraduates gathered to share their research at the first year-end symposium for USC CIRM COMPASS, a comprehensive two-year program designed to prepare juniors and seniors for careers in stem cell biology …

USC Stem Cell scientists watched the sun set over the Pacific Ocean during a Q&A with keynote speaker Aileen Anderson. (Photo by Cristy Lytal)

Getting lost in translation—the clinical kind—at USC’s stem cell retreat

At the retreat for USC’s Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, newly appointed leader Chuck Murry shared a vision as sweeping as the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from …

Laura Perin in the lab (image courtesy of CHLA); featured image for Fasting-mimicking diet restores kidney function in study

Fasting-mimicking diet restores kidney function in study

Diet intervention revives kidney function in preclinical animal models and in patients with chronic kidney disease. In patients with chronic kidney disease, the loss of podocytes—part of the kidney’s glomerular filtration barrier—causes …

Laura Perin (left) and Stefano Da Sacco (Image courtesy of CHLA); featured image for Study offers new insights into how the most common kidney cancer starts in kids

Study offers new insights into how the most common kidney cancer starts in kids

Researchers at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles found new clues to how disruption of the early process of kidney formation may be linked to the development of Wilms tumor — also known as …

Left to right: Roger De Filippo, MD, Stefano Da Sacco, PhD, Laura Perin, PhD (Image courtesy of CHLA); featured image for Podocyte protectors: NIH awards CHLA’s GOFARR Laboratory additional grants to combat chronic childhood kidney disease

Podocyte protectors: NIH awards CHLA’s GOFARR Laboratory additional grants to combat chronic childhood kidney disease

In children with progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), loss of kidney function is for the most part irreversible. “The glomerulus is where the kidney filters the blood,” says Laura Perin, PhD, co-Director …

Left to right: Roger De Filippo, MD, Stefano Da Sacco, PhD, Laura Perin, PhD; featured image for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles receives NIH awards for research into combating childhood kidney failure

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles receives NIH awards for research into combating childhood kidney failure

In children with progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), loss of kidney function is mostly irreversible. The GOFARR Laboratory for Organ Regenerative Research and Cell Therapeutics in Urology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles …

Wilms tumor team; featured image for A bench-to-bedside approach to Wilms tumor

A bench-to-bedside approach to Wilms tumor

Stefano Da Sacco, PhD, calls Wilms tumor “an underdog” in the research world. “If you go to the American Urological Association or other meetings, there aren’t many presentations or discussions about Wilms …

Layers of healthy human kidney cells (visible as red and green in fluorescent image) form a working filter in the new model developed by Dr. Perin and Dr. Da Sacco in the GOFARR Lab.; featured image for CHLA scientists develop first physiologically-accurate in vitro model of the human kidney glomerulus

CHLA scientists develop first physiologically-accurate in vitro model of the human kidney glomerulus

Story courtesy of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Kidneys work to constantly filter blood and remove toxins from the body. Conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) are characterized by a reduced ability …

Laura Perin (Photo courtesy of CHLA); featured image for New cellular approach found to control progression of chronic kidney disease

New cellular approach found to control progression of chronic kidney disease

Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that extracellular vesicles—tiny protein-filled structures—isolated from amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) can be used to effectively slow the progression of kidney damage in mice with …

Valter Longo (Photo by John Skalicky); featured image for Fasting-mimicking diet may reverse diabetes in mice

Fasting-mimicking diet may reverse diabetes in mice

By Beth Newcomb A diet designed to imitate the effects of fasting appears to reverse diabetes, a new USC-led study shows. The fasting-like diet promotes the growth of new insulin-producing pancreatic cells …

Andy McMahon (Photo by Phil Channing); featured image for Andy McMahon and USC Stem Cell: From discoveries to cures

Andy McMahon and USC Stem Cell: From discoveries to cures

Video by Little Pictures How do fingers become fingers and not toes? How does the brain generate the correct number of neurons? How do the kidneys branch into the complex and elegant …

Andy McMahon, PhD, FRS (Photo by Cristy Lytal); featured image for Stem cells prove their potency at CHLA annual symposium

Stem cells prove their potency at CHLA annual symposium

The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Annual Symposium, held on Feb. 21, focused on the promise of regenerative medicine and cellular therapies — from curing HIV to building organs …

Elizabeth Fini (Photo courtesy of USC); featured image for Keck School researchers to speak at World Stem Cell Summit

Keck School researchers to speak at World Stem Cell Summit

Faculty researchers and clinicians from the Keck School of Medicine of USC are among more than 170 speakers who will discuss their efforts to zero in on disease cures at an international …