Overview

USC Stem Cell scientists are advancing our understanding of how the body develops, maintains and repairs the brain, nerves and senses. They are using stem cells to find new regenerative therapies for conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegenerative diseases, brain tumors, hearing loss and vision loss.

Statistics

  • Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the US. An estimated 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
  • ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes progressive paralysis and usually results in fatal respiratory failure within three to five years of diagnosis.
  • Brain tumors are the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer-related death in children fourteen years and younger.
  • Twenty percent of Americans—or 48 million people—report some degree of hearing loss.
  • More than 20 million Americans report some degree of vision loss.

Researchers

Brain, Nerves and Senses News

USC CIRM COMPASS scholars with stem cell faculty members Senta Georgia, Francesca Mariani and Louise Menendez (Photo courtesy of Senta Georgia)

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 …

Students at the Keck School of Medicine of USC (Photo by William Vasta)

Meet the nine scholarship winners in USC’s stem cell master’s program

This year, philanthropic giving supported scholarships for nine students in USC’s master of science (MS) program in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Launched in 2014 as one of the only programs …

On the left, the computer screen displays the video image and two OCT images taken during the surgery. On the right, Oghalai is collecting data while performing the surgery. (Photo by John Oghalai)

An innovative approach to hearing loss: John Oghalai receives R01 grant for OCT imaging of the human inner ear

Over 615,000 people in the United States alone are affected by Meniere’s disease, a problem of the inner ear that can lead to vertigo (dizziness) and hearing loss, and many more experience …

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Brain, Nerves and Senses Videos

Dr. Justin Ichida’s research focuses on how genetic and environmental factors contribute to human neurodegenerative disease. His laboratory uses cellular reprogramming and stem cell technology to build patient-specific in vitro models of neurodegenerative disease, enabling the screening of drug-like compounds in search of potential therapeutics. To learn more, visit https://ichidalab.usc.edu.
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