USC Stem Cell researchers receive $3 million of NIH funding to produce sophisticated laboratory rats
USC Stem Cell principal investigator Qi-Long Ying and his team are pleased to introduce a new transgenic animal—the conditional and inducible gene knockout rat. Created using embryonic stem cell-based technology, these remarkable …
Stem cell-derived retinal organoid imaging offers real-time insights into the developmental origins of blinding eye diseases
A multidisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) Roski Eye Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering used stem cell-derived retinal organoids …
USC alumna Amanda Kwieraga makes paintings from acrylic, wood and stem cell science
“Anyone who views something under a microscope or through a telescope will tell you that science is art, and that art is the perfect way to convey science,” said Amanda Kwieraga, an …
USC Stem Cell artist Amanda Kwieraga plants a Neuronal Forest
“Anyone who views something under a microscope or through a telescope will tell you that science is art, and that art is the perfect way to convey science,” said Amanda Kwieraga, an …
Whittier Foundation backs new group of research projects
The L.K. Whittier Foundation has been a critical source of funding for cancer research at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, supporting clinicians and …
USC researcher Kim Staats looks for the pattern in sporadic cases of ALS
USC postdoctoral researcher Kim Staats found her calling when a childhood neighbor was diagnosed with ALS, a paralyzing and fatal neurodegenerative disease. At the time, Staats was pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees …
Keck School to host Howard Hughes Medical Research Fellow
The Keck School of Medicine of USC will host Marta Stevanovic, a third-year student and Robert W. Woodruff Fellow at Emory University School of Medicine, who has been selected by the Howard …
Researchers listen to zebrafish to understand human hearing loss
Can a fish with a malformed jaw tell us something about hearing loss in mice and humans? The answer is yes, according to a new publication in Scientific Reports.
NIH funding helps Americans live longer and healthier
The nation’s medical research agency, the National Institutes of Health, funds research to help Americans live longer and healthier. Some 148 Nobel Prize winners have received support from the NIH, demonstrating how …
USC’s stem cell scientists secure the dollars to fight disease
The price of progress is not only the energy and talent of stem cell scientists, but also the research dollars that support their discoveries. In recent months, faculty members have secured numerous …
Meet PhD student Albina Ibrayeva, presenter at the ISSCR 2017 Annual Meeting
What happens to the stem cells in our brains as we age? Albina Ibrayeva, a PhD student in the USC Stem Cell laboratory of Michael Bonaguidi, will address this question in a …
USC Stem Cell scientist Justin Ichida explores Alzheimer’s disease, with support from the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation
About 15 percent of the cells in our brains are scavengers—roving immune cells known as microglia that remove infectious agents, damaged neurons and plaques. USC Stem Cell scientist Justin Ichida is taking …
Countdown to Commencement: Nicole Koutsodendris aims to succeed where neurological medications fail
“Anti-psychotic medications can numb you to the point where you no longer have your own thoughts,” said Nicole Koutsodendris, who is graduating from the master’s program in stem cell biology and regenerative …
Artist plus researcher equals infinite inspiration at the Keck School of Medicine of USC
What happens when you pair 14 artists with 14 USC biomedical researchers? The answer is currently on display at the Hoyt Gallery on the Health Sciences Campus of the Keck School of …
Megan McCain appointed to Chonette Early Career Chair
Megan McCain, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, and stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, has been honored with the Chonette Early Career Chair at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. As an …
From professional volleyball to stem cell biology, Leonardo Morsut is at the top of his game
For USC Stem Cell researcher Leonardo Morsut, the word “set” refers to a collection of scientific data. “Set” is also the prelude to spiking a volleyball over the net—something he used to do for a living as a professional athlete in Italy.
Next-generation stem cell scientists evidence strong nerves at USC mini-symposium
Five next-generation scientists got everyone’s neurons firing at the Junior Faculty Candidate Mini-symposium, hosted by USC’s Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine on March 7.
What I’m Reading: Top pick from stem cell postdoc Zlatka Stojanova
Usher syndrome is a devastating genetic disorder that causes profound hearing loss, balance disorders and progressive blindness. In the ear, mutations in the Usher 1c (USH1C) gene lead to damage and loss …
Bioengineering models for muscular dystrophy research
Studying muscular diseases proves extremely complicated. The current system of studying muscle cells and tissues using animal models is often inconclusive and cost-prohibitive. Looking to improve the status quo, Megan McCain—a Gabilan …
Americans for Cures produces animation about spinal cord injury
This animation, produced by Americans for Cures, illustrates how stem cells are providing a better treatment for patients with spinal cord injury. Asterias Biotherapeutics launched a multi-center clinical trial to fix nerve …