NIH awards $3.3 million grant to study the role of gene regulation in congenital anomalies
The project will use zebrafish and other species to understand the logic and evolution of craniofacial development. A research team led by Gage Crump, PhD, at the Keck School of Medicine of …
USC researcher probes the cells that sustain growth plates
Assistant Professor Zhaoyang Liu hopes her research will not only help people with growth limitations but also advance the understanding of craniofacial biology. HOW DOES THE GROWTH PLATE — the region of …
Clinical trial evaluates investigational injection for knee osteoarthritis
Keck Medicine of USC studies the safety of a USC-developed therapy and its potential effects on cartilage deterioration in the knee joint. Keck Medicine of USC has launched a clinical trial testing …
Think enamel erosion is irreversible? Think again.
After decades of research, Ostrow faculty member Janet Moradian-Oldak prepares to bring a short peptide that can generate a biomimetic version of tooth enamel to market. FOR DECADES, PROFESSOR JANET MORADIAN-OLDAK has …
Thymus-derived hormone may help suppress age-related inflammation
In animal models, researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that targeting the thymus can reduce age-related inflammation and improve cancer outcomes. Chronic, low-grade inflammation in the body—a phenomenon …
USC researchers study impacts of synovial lymphatic system on TMJ
A recent Nature Communications article sheds light on how fluid drainage systems may worsen jaw pain in the 5 to 8 percent of Americans affected by temporomandibular joint disorders. Problems with jaw …
Undergraduate stem cell research takes the spotlight at USC CIRM COMPASS symposium
USC Stem Cell prepares undergraduates to present research and become the regenerative medicine workforce of the future. Stem cell research took center stage at the year-end symposium for the USC CIRM COMPASS …
Driven to impact
Powered by her Ostrow experience, Heliya Ziaei is well positioned to blend research and patient care as a clinician-scientist. Though Heliya Ziaei, PhD ’26, arrived at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry …
USC honors stem cell leader Andy McMahon with a lifetime achievement award
The award recognizes McMahon’s career advancing developmental biology and building scientific communities, including USC Stem Cell. As a pioneer in developmental biology and founder of USC Stem Cell, Andy McMahon, PhD, FRS, …
A “stemness checkpoint” helps control stem cell identity
Building on the concept that blocking differentiation into specialized cell types maintains stem cells, USC and NIH scientists identify GSK3α as a checkpoint across diverse stem cell types. A study published in …
USC announces joint biomedical engineering department, bridging medical and engineering schools
Building on decades of collaboration between the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the department reimagines the expansion of biomedical engineering into medicine. The Keck …
Growing a garden of academic excellence
His path to USC from China led the clinician-scientist through resilience and growth — and now the Ostrow Dean will nurture learning, patient care and research into the future. On Sundays, Ostrow’s …
New federal grant to help researchers explore better treatment options for temporomandibular disorders
The $4.3-million NIDCR grant will help clinicians build upon previous work to improve patient outcomes for those suffering with TMD pathology. There are few joints as complex as the jaws — they …
USC launches a new Center for Stem Cell Engineering on the Health Sciences Campus
A collaboration between the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, the center will use stem cell engineering to uncover disease mechanisms and advance new therapies. …
From lab to launch: Inside USC’s fast-growing ecosystem of health startups
From patches that restore vision to compounds that kill brain tumors, drug and device discoveries by USC researchers are reaching patients faster than ever before. Ten years ago, two pediatric heart specialists …
New NIA-funded center to help older adults live longer, healthier lives
A new Los Angeles research hub will take on one of today’s most pressing challenges: helping people live not just longer, but healthier and more independent lives as they age. The National …
USC Stem Cell-led study generates authentic embryonic stem cells from birds
Scientists discover that egg yolk is a key to establishing authentic embryonic stem cells from chickens and seven other avian species, as reported in Nature Biotechnology. Egg whites may be perfect for …
USC Stem Cell students and trainees win $15,000 collaborative research grants
When learning to become a great scientist, the most important lesson might be how to collaborate. To encourage this essential skill, for the past decade, USC Stem Cell has awarded one-year challenge …
USC Stem Cell PhD student Shuwan Liu receives award from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Which signals drive cells to heal large-scale bone injuries? For her research into this question, USC Stem Cell PhD student Shuwan Liu has won a 2025 Young Investigator Award from the American …
Why aging matters for bone healing: New clues from the rib
A resected rib in a young person can grow back with surprising ease—even if a large piece is missing. This remarkable healing ability was observed by Janice S. Lee, principal investigator of …