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By superimposing images of several of the kidney’s filtering units, known as nephrons, researchers can visualize how little these structures deviate from a stereotypical developmental trajectory.; featured image for USC-led study traces the blueprints for how human kidneys form their filtering units

USC-led study traces the blueprints for how human kidneys form their filtering units

When it comes to building a kidney, only nature possesses the complete set of blueprints. But a USC-led team of scientists has managed to borrow some of nature’s pages through a comprehensive …

The coronal suture contains stem cells (green).; featured image for Study of skull birth defect takes it from the top

Study of skull birth defect takes it from the top

Contrary to the popular song, the neck bone is actually connected to one of 22 separate head bones that make up the human skull. These plate-like bones intersect at specialized joints called …

Organ of Corti; featured image for USC Stem Cell scientists explore the latent regenerative potential of the inner ear

USC Stem Cell scientists explore the latent regenerative potential of the inner ear

Scientists from the USC Stem Cell laboratory of Neil Segil have identified a natural barrier to the regeneration of the inner ear’s sensory cells, which are lost in hearing and balance disorders. …

LA smog (Image courtesy of the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC); featured image for Jian Xu investigates environmental pollution’s contribution to birth defects

Jian Xu investigates environmental pollution’s contribution to birth defects

Jian Xu hopes to better understand the mechanisms behind environmental toxins increasing the occurrence of birth defects in order to develop new treatments or even prevent craniofacial birth defects. Nearly 120,000 babies …

(Image courtesy of iStock); featured image for Top scientists and research institutions propose improvements to cell- and gene-based therapy development

Top scientists and research institutions propose improvements to cell- and gene-based therapy development

Led by a USC cell and gene therapy researcher, an international coalition calls for more transparency and reproducibility in research and development of breakthrough treatments.   Scientists around the world are achieving significant …

Neutrophil; featured image for Study highlights differences in immune cell function between male and female mice

Study highlights differences in immune cell function between male and female mice

A new USC study of a common, yet poorly understood type of white blood cell reveals the human immune cell’s response to pathogens differs greatly by sex and by age.  In this mouse study, males proved much more susceptible to a condition called sepsis than females. However, the scientists also found that the female disease-defense system is …

3-D illustration of ciliated cells. (Image courtesy of iStock); featured image for Could mapping tiny hairlike structures help treat lung illnesses?

Could mapping tiny hairlike structures help treat lung illnesses?

With a $2.3 million NIH award, USC researchers will study how cilia behavior and structure impact their function, a key in improving diagnostics and treatments for lung illnesses like COVID-19. Cilia, microscopic …

Scott Fraser by Noe Montes; featured image for USC Professor Scott E. Fraser redefines impossible problems

USC Professor Scott E. Fraser redefines impossible problems

USC Professor Scott E. Fraser is known for inventing new microscopes and other tools to observe living, developing embryos. But one of his lab’s most important pieces of technology filters coffee instead …

Inner ear sensory cells (left) and skin sensory cells from a one-day-old mouse; featured image for USC Stem Cell study points to a common ancestor for cells involved in hearing and touch

USC Stem Cell study points to a common ancestor for cells involved in hearing and touch

The sensory cells in the inner ear and the touch receptors in the skin actually have a lot in common, according to a new study from the USC Stem Cell laboratory of …

Megan McCain and family; featured image for USC Professor Megan McCain crafts an approach to tissue engineering

USC Professor Megan McCain crafts an approach to tissue engineering

Megan McCain has always liked using her hands to create things, ranging from art projects to human heart cells that grow on silicon chips. “I’ve always loved building things and doing crafts, …

Bérénice Benayoun (Photo courtesy of the USC Davis School of Gerontology); featured image for Bérénice Benayoun receives GSA Nathan Shock New Investigator Award

Bérénice Benayoun receives GSA Nathan Shock New Investigator Award

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA)—the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging—has chosen Assistant Professor Bérénice Benayoun of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology as the 2021 …

USC's stem cell research center

2021 Call for Applications: T32 Fellowships in Developmental Biology, Stem Cells, and Regeneration

All PhD students who are conducting research related to developmental biology, stem cell biology, and/or regenerative medicine are encouraged to apply for a training fellowship. We have several slots available for both …

Image courtesy of the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC; featured image for Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC awarded research training grants from National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC awarded research training grants from National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research

The prestigious five-year training grants are meant to support tomorrow’s leading thinkers in craniofacial research as they launch their academic careers. The Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC has been awarded two …

Image courtesy of the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC; featured image for Could stem cell- or molecular-based treatment be the solution to temporomandibular joint disorders?

Could stem cell- or molecular-based treatment be the solution to temporomandibular joint disorders?

A new study, led by Amy Merrill-Brugger, could lead to new treatments for the common disorder. Our jaws allow us to talk, chew, swallow, sing and even yawn. All these activities require …

A mouse kidney one month after acute injury. Cells that proliferated in response to the injury are shown in green. (Image by Louisa M. S. Gerhardt/McMahon Lab); featured image for The same cell type can help or hinder repair after acute kidney injury

The same cell type can help or hinder repair after acute kidney injury

The USC Stem Cell laboratory of Andy McMahon has identified a type of injured cell that might contribute to the transition from an acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease, as described …

Unmesh Jadhav and Kimberly Gokoffski; featured image for The Baxter Foundation advances USC research on optic nerve disease and colorectal cancer

The Baxter Foundation advances USC research on optic nerve disease and colorectal cancer

For over 60 years, the Donald E. and Delia B. Baxter Foundation has supported innovative biomedical research at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, each year granting $100,000 awards to two …

kidney organoid; featured image for USC Stem Cell scientists make big progress in building mini-kidneys

USC Stem Cell scientists make big progress in building mini-kidneys

A team of scientists at the Keck School of Medicine of USC has created what could be a key building block for assembling a synthetic kidney. In a new study in Nature …

Justin Ichida (Photo by Chris Shinn); featured image for AcuraStem awarded $1 million Department of Defense grant to develop ALS drug candidate

AcuraStem awarded $1 million Department of Defense grant to develop ALS drug candidate

AcuraStem, a patient-based drug discovery platform company developing novel therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neurodegenerative diseases, has received an Amyotrophic Lat-eral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP) Therapeutic Development Award from the …

Marcella Birtele; featured image for Marcella Birtele named Choi Family Postdoctoral Fellow at USC Stem Cell

Marcella Birtele named Choi Family Postdoctoral Fellow at USC Stem Cell

In one sense, Marcella Birtele is following in her father’s footsteps: he works as an electrician in Italy, and she studies the electrophysiology of the brain as a postdoctoral fellow in Giorgia …

Broken eggs; featured image for USC researchers regenerate skull tissue using stem cells and 3-D printed scaffolding in swine

USC researchers regenerate skull tissue using stem cells and 3-D printed scaffolding in swine

Every year, surgeons perform more than 5,000 cranioplasties—surgeries that restore cranial defects—on patients who have experienced critical size cranial defects resulting from congenital defects, head trauma or tumor removals. Traditional materials used …