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; featured image for Wnt happens in kidney development?

Wnt happens in kidney development?

A pair of USC Stem Cell mouse studies detail how progenitor cells self-renew, differentiate, and aggregate into early kidney structures, offering insights for the creation of stem cell-based artificial kidneys. A group …

COMPASS cohort (Photo by Cristy Lytal); featured image for USC COMPASS undergraduate program prepares juniors and seniors for stem cell careers

USC COMPASS undergraduate program prepares juniors and seniors for stem cell careers

For 20 undergraduate students at USC, stem cell research is more than the topic of a lecture or an article in a textbook. It’s the focus of a comprehensive two-year program designed …

Following an acute kidney injury, damaged cells interact within disease-promoting microenvironments, a process linked to a progression to chronic kidney disease. (Image by Michal Polonsky/Caltech); featured image for New study shows cells get involved in unhealthy relationships after acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice

New study shows cells get involved in unhealthy relationships after acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice

Using cutting-edge technology, researchers at USC and Caltech develop a comprehensive map of cellular, molecular, and structural changes following AKI, revealing cellular interactions that may lead to chronic kidney disease. A study …

Poster session at the 2024 CIRM Trainee Network Conference at USC's Town and Gown (Photo by Sergio Bianco)

USC-hosted CIRM conference welcomes stem cell trainees from across California

At the inaugural California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Trainee Network Conference, over 400 students and postdocs from across California gathered for three days of learning, networking, and career development on USC’s …

In specialized kidney cells that filter the blood (podocytes), both mouse and human cells express the gene MAFB (red) but the human kidney disease associated gene PLA2R1 is only active in human cells (green). (Image by Sunghyun Kim/McMahon lab); featured image for USC Stem Cell study maps how genes instruct kidneys to develop differently in mice and humans

USC Stem Cell study maps how genes instruct kidneys to develop differently in mice and humans

How similar is kidney development in humans and in the lab mice that form the foundation of basic medical research? In a new study published in Developmental Cell, USC Stem Cell scientists …

The kidney contains macula densa cells, which orchestrate kidney regeneration.; featured image for To regenerate the kidney, please don’t pass the salt

To regenerate the kidney, please don’t pass the salt

USC study showing loss of salt and body fluid stimulates kidney regeneration in mice, suggests new therapeutic approach to chronic kidney disease. A loss of salt and body fluid can stimulate kidney …

Christian Chung; featured image for Graduates of the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s master’s, doctoral, and nurse anesthesia programs go forth with “gwenchana”

Graduates of the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s master’s, doctoral, and nurse anesthesia programs go forth with “gwenchana”

At the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony for the master’s, doctoral, and nurse anesthesia programs, the word of the day was “gwenchana.” “Today, I want to teach a …

(Photo by William Vasta); featured image for How the USC stem cell master’s program changed the lives of 10 alumni

How the USC stem cell master’s program changed the lives of 10 alumni

In honor of the 10th anniversary of USC’s stem cell master’s program, we asked 10 alumni to reflect on how the program changed the course of their lives and careers. Launched in …

Lab grown human nephron progenitor cells (Image by Biao Huang/Li Lab); featured image for USC-led study introduces a new and improved way to grow the cells that give rise to the kidney’s filtration system

USC-led study introduces a new and improved way to grow the cells that give rise to the kidney’s filtration system

In a new study published in Cell Stem Cell, USC scientists report significant progress in cultivating nephron progenitor cells (NPCs), the cells destined to form the kidney’s filtration system, the nephrons. NPCs …

Organoid with neurons labeled in green (Image by Joshua Berlind/Ichida Lab); featured image for Organoids reveal how to protect the brain against dementia and ALS following traumatic injury, according to USC Stem Cell study

Organoids reveal how to protect the brain against dementia and ALS following traumatic injury, according to USC Stem Cell study

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can quadruple your risk for developing dementia, and also increase your chances of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. In a new study published in Cell Stem …

Linda Sher; featured image for USC surgeon-scientist Linda Sher receives $2.7 million CIRM grant to develop and test immunologically modified and humanized swine livers

USC surgeon-scientist Linda Sher receives $2.7 million CIRM grant to develop and test immunologically modified and humanized swine livers

In 1992, Linda Sher was part of a surgical team at Cedars-Sinai that transplanted a pig liver into a human patient for the first time in the history of medicine. The pig …

Kidney organoids with proximal tubules (Image by Jack Schnell/Lindström Lab); featured image for $3.95 million CIRM grant establishes USC ASCEND Center to make stem cell-derived  organ models accessible to all

$3.95 million CIRM grant establishes USC ASCEND Center to make stem cell-derived organ models accessible to all

To democratize access to lab-grown organ-like structures known as organoids and other advanced stem cell and transcriptomic technologies, USC will launch the CIRM ASCEND Center, dedicated to “Advancing Stem Cell Education and …

Rong Lu (right) and Du Jiang (Photo by Gal Manella); featured image for USC Stem Cell study shows how gene activity modulates the amount of immune cell production in mice

USC Stem Cell study shows how gene activity modulates the amount of immune cell production in mice

As people age or become ill, their immune systems can become exhausted and less capable of fighting off viruses such as the flu or COVID-19. In a new mouse study funded in …

Oliver Bell and Daniel Bsteh; featured image for USC Stem Cell study throws our understanding of gene regulation for a loop

USC Stem Cell study throws our understanding of gene regulation for a loop

The blueprint for human life lies within the DNA in the nucleus of each of our cells. In human cells, around six and a half feet of this genetic material must be …

Lab-grown 6-month-old human Purkinje cell (Image by Alexander Atamian and Marcella Birtele/Quadrato Lab); featured image for USC Stem Cell scientists develop a game-changing organoid model to study human cerebellar development and disease

USC Stem Cell scientists develop a game-changing organoid model to study human cerebellar development and disease

In a first for USC Stem Cell scientists, the laboratory of Giorgia Quadrato, an assistant professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, has pioneered a novel human brain organoid model that …

Building an Incubator for Medicine of the 21st Century; featured image for Building an Incubator for Medicine of the 21st Century

Building an Incubator for Medicine of the 21st Century

USC Stem Cell is pleased to introduce our new publication. We hope you’ll enjoy reflecting back on our history, while looking ahead to the transformative times to come. Read now at https://stemcell.keck.usc.edu/wp-content/themes/stemcell/incubator.

Two sculptures representing a human neuron and a radial glia cell, inspired by the findings published by the Quadrato Lab in Nature Neuroscience. (Sculptures by Jane Kwak; photo by Sergio Bianco); featured image for The Autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 could impact early stages of human brain development, USC study reveals

The Autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 could impact early stages of human brain development, USC study reveals

New research shows that variants of SYNGAP1, a gene previously thought only to affect synapses between mature neurons, may disrupt early development in the brain’s cortex, a region involved in higher-order cognitive …

(Photo by William Vasta); featured image for USC doubles the number of scholarships for stem cell master’s students

USC doubles the number of scholarships for stem cell master’s students

This year, ten students earned scholarships that enabled them to attend USC’s master’s program in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, one of the only programs of its kind in the United …

Justin Ichida (Photo by Ben Gibbs); featured image for USC Stem Cell research from Justin Ichida’s lab advances toward clinical development for ALS, following a license agreement between companies Takeda and AcuraStem

USC Stem Cell research from Justin Ichida’s lab advances toward clinical development for ALS, following a license agreement between companies Takeda and AcuraStem

USC Stem Cell scientist Justin Ichida has learned to inhabit two worlds: the university where his lab makes discoveries, and the companies that can help commercialize these discoveries into new treatments for …

The 2023 Mammalian Synthetic Biology Workshop (Photo courtesy of Catcher Salazar); featured image for Three USC Stem Cell undergraduates expand their horizons, thanks to Neil Segil Travel Scholarships

Three USC Stem Cell undergraduates expand their horizons, thanks to Neil Segil Travel Scholarships

Few scientists will ever forget the first time they presented their research at a conference. Thanks to the Neil Segil Stem Cell Travel Scholarships, three USC Stem Cell undergraduate researchers recently experienced …