Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · 1d

For #StemCellAwarenessDay, a look at a human neuron grown from stem cells, captured by Dr. Yonatan Perez, a Kriegstein Lab postdoc alum. This work could inform therapies for neurological disorders and brain regeneration.

UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · 13d

Congratulations to our Broad Center members (Bruce Conklin, Tippi MacKenzie, Jingjing Li, Benoit Bruneau, and Holger Willenbring) and colleagues on their newly awarded CIRM Discovery (DISC0) grants!

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · 15d

From cloudy mornings to golden sunsets—the UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center always has a view worth sharing. 🌿☀️ Thanks to Lael and Cassie from the IRM Admin Team for these shots! #UCSF #Dolby #KarlTheFog #OfficeViews #CampusViews #GoldenHour

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Sep 9

Congratulations, Tomasz Nowakowski, PhD! 🧬🧠✨ #UCSFProud

UCSF Neurosurgery @neurosurgucsf.bsky.social · Sep 9

Congratulations to Tomasz Nowakowski, PhD, on being named a finalist for the prestigious Blavatnik National Award for Young Scientists! 🎉 He was selected for his groundbreaking research shaping the future of neuroscience and medicine. stemcell.ucsf.edu/news/tomasz-... @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social 🧪 🧠📈

UCSF neuroscientist Tomasz Nowakowski, PhD, seated at a bench in his lab.

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Reposted by UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

University of California @uofcalifornia.bsky.social · Jul 17

The University of California provides transformative educational opportunities, life-saving health care and research that moves our state forward and powers our economy.

Stand with UC for the future of California: bit.ly/46LvcMo

youtu.be/OpvhTJtxF5o?...

The University of California: Boldly Californian

YouTube video by University of California

youtu.be

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Aug 15

Read more at the UCSF News article here: www.ucsf.edu/news/2025/08...

Two UCSF Researchers Are Named Pew Latin American Fellows

Two new Pew Latin American fellows, Beatriz De Moraes, PhD, and Lilian Gomes de Oliveira, PhD, will each receive a $30,000 annual stipend for two years to support their work at the crossroads of immun...

www.ucsf.edu

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Aug 12

Congrats to Lilian Gomes de Oliveira, PhD, who joins the 2025 class of Pew scholars and fellows! As a Pew Latin American Fellow, Lilian will explore how the Zika virus disrupts cerebral cortex development during the second trimester of pregnancy. Learn More: www.pew.org/en/about/new...

The Pew Charitable Trusts today announced the 2025 class of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences.

The 10 postdoctoral fellows from five Latin American countries—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico—will receive two years of funding to conduct research in laboratories throughout the United States. They will work under the mentorship of prominent biomedical scientists, including alumni from the Latin American fellows program and the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences.

“Scientific exchange and collaboration foster new discoveries that help advance human health for all,” said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Pew’s senior vice president for Philadelphia and scientific advancement. “Pew is proud to support this outstanding group of young researchers, whose pursuits will help pave the way to biomedicine’s future.”

Fellows who choose to return to Latin America to launch their own research labs will receive additional funding from Pew. Nearly 70% of program participants have taken this path, which has helped cultivate a robust biomedical research community in Latin America.

Scientists in the 2025 class are exploring a range of research topics, including examining how brain tumors evolve to resist therapy, the ways in which immune cells reduce chronic pain during pregnancy, and how the nervous system rebuilds after injury.

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Aug 12

New from the Cromer Lab detailing methods for achieving high-efficiency CRISPR-based genome editing in primary hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Discover more @cp-starprotocols.bsky.social | star-protocols.cell.com/protocols/4394

What’s the story?
The protocol provides step-by-step methods to efficiently and safely edit the genome in human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) using the CRISPR/AAV editing platform, from preparing the repair template, maintaining the HSCs, and evaluating the editing outcomes.

What did they learn?
The researchers demonstrated that using their CRISPR‑Cas9 plus AAV protocol on human HSCs leads to highly efficient genome editing and robust production of functional erythroid cells in vitro.

What’s the impact?
The piece, published in STAR Protocols journal, provides a reliable, efficient way to edit human HSCs while keeping them healthy, paving the way for developing new genome editing therapies for blood disorders.

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Reposted by UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

Dr. Elizabeth Crouch @elizabethcrouch.bsky.social · Aug 1

So proud of Kaylee who won a #GordonConference Travel Award! 🥇 🤩 Congrats to @brisapalikuqilab.bsky.social for a fantastic #GRS and Profs Karina Yaniv and Anne Eichmann for an outstanding #Angiogenesis conference @ucsfchildrens.bsky.social @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Aug 8

Congratulations, Jaela Caston and @elizabethcrouch.bsky.social!! We’re #UCSFProud to celebrate you as 2025 Gilliam Fellow & Advisor 🎉 @ucsanfrancisco.bsky.social

www.hhmi.org/programs/gil...

The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.

Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors. Fellows receive up to three years of PhD dissertation support alongside numerous opportunities to connect with peers, program alumni, and HHMI scientists at every career stage. Both students and advisors benefit from tailored professional development programming and become part of HHMI’s vibrant scientific community.

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Aug 4

You’ll also hear from a sickle cell warrior who received gene therapy earlier this year — followed by an open Q&A where attendees can ask questions directly to the expert and the patient.
🗓️ Sat, Aug 16
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Zoom link sent upon registration (due Aug 15)
www.eventbrite.com/e/sickle-cel...

Sickle Cell Gene Therapy Updates: Virtual Town Hall

Learn about sickle cell gene therapy options, risks, benefits & future impact at our virtual town hall with Dr. Walters.

www.eventbrite.com

UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Aug 4

🧬 The gene therapy landscape for sickle cell is evolving—join the UCSF Sickle Cell Center of Excellence for a powerful virtual town hall with Dr. Mark Walters, an expert in sickle cell and cell/gene therapy. This session is perfect for patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates.

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Reposted by UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) @cirmnews.bsky.social · Jul 30

Thank you to all the incredible trainees, program directors, patient advocates, and inspiring speakers who joined us for the 2025 #CIRMTraineeConference!

We’re grateful for the insights you shared and the community we continue to build together in advancing #RegenerativeMedicine. #BlueskyBiotech

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Jul 29

New in @natneuro.nature.com: Astrocyte fate isn’t hardwired — it’s shaped by where they grow up. Local neuron signals — not just where they come from — shape their identity. A key step toward understanding brain health and developing new therapies. rdcu.be/eyoIX #NewResearch

Astrocyte specification in the mouse septum is shaped by both developmental origin and local signals

Nature Neuroscience - The relative contribution of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to astrocyte heterogeneity is unknown. Using heterotropic transplantation of septal astrocytes with distinct...

rdcu.be

UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Jul 28

🎧 Don’t miss this podcast with Dr. Tippi MacKenzie, Broad Center Director, on in utero therapies & the future of regenerative medicine.

📍19:40: vision for the Center → discover, engineer, heal.

🔗 bit.ly/46qjYgi

#UCSF #StemCells #FetalSurgery #GeneTherapy #GenomeEditing #DiscoverEngineerHeal

Curing Genetic Disease Before Life Begins with Tippi MacKenzie

Fetal surgeon Tippi MacKenzie on curing genetic disease before birth using in utero therapy.

bit.ly

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Reposted by UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

Innovative Genomics Institute @innovativegenomics.bsky.social · Jul 24

Did you know that the illustrations in our resources like CRISPRpedia are free to use for non-commercial, educational purposes? Check out our Science x Art page to see a selection of work from our designers & artists. Tag us to show us how you're using them! innovativegenomics.org/science-x-art/ 🧬🎨

Science x Art

Science x Art - Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI)

innovativegenomics.org

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Reposted by UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

Society for Neuroscience @sfn.org · Jul 22

It's #WorldBrainDay!

The brain controls everything that makes life possible.

Scientific research provides the tools and knowledge needed to protect, restore, and enhance brain health for all.

Are you a #neurowiz?

Take this short quiz to find out: vist.ly/3yr5j

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Jul 18

Why Is Discovery Research So Important? Broad Center member Grae Davis unpacks how big breakthroughs happen and why public understanding of science matters: magazine.ucsf.edu/why-discover...

Why Is Discovery Research So Important?

Neuroscientist Grae Davis, PhD, unpacks why public understanding of science matters.

magazine.ucsf.edu

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Reposted by UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

Dr. Elizabeth Crouch @elizabethcrouch.bsky.social · Jul 16

A full circle ⭕️ moment interviewing @ameliecollins79 . Dr. Collins was my fellow during my #neonatology sub-I. Fascinating #hsc work (the mother cell of #immunology!) ✅it out and her 😍publication: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38428422/ @ucsfchildrens.bsky.social @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social

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Reposted by UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) @cirmnews.bsky.social · Jun 12

🚨 REMINDER: Prospective DISC4 applicants, the Pre-Submission Form deadline is June 16 at 2 PM.
The DISC4 Awards support large, cross-disciplinary teams working on innovative ways to understand and treat human disease. Learn more at www.cirm.ca.gov/disc4/.

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · Jun 5

We are thrilled that @semilc.bsky.social and the Choksi Lab will be part of our RMB community! 🎉

Semil Choksi @semilc.bsky.social · Jun 5

I'm thrilled to announce that my lab is opening this August in the Department of Cell & Tissue Biology @ UCSF!

We will study airway stem cells and explore how they generate multiciliated cells (my favorite!) to keep pathogens and debris out of the lung. Check out choksilab.org for more!

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Reposted by UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

American Society of Gene + Cell Therapy @asgct.bsky.social · Jun 4

🔊 TOMORROW, June 5: Join @fda.gov’s Cell and Gene Therapy Roundtable featuring ASGCT Board Members Terry Flotte, Paula Cannon, and more, on the panel! Watch on YouTube from 9 a.m. to noon (ET).

Do not miss out on this opportunity to hear from top regulatory leaders! www.fda.gov/vaccines-blo...

CBER Roundtable on Cell and Gene Therapy

The Roundtable will provide you with an opportunity to share your thoughts on advancing the field of cell and gene therapy.

www.fda.gov

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · May 29

Today! Join us for our Getting to Patients seminar. Dr. Matthay will share “Allogeneic Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for ARDS: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data” with patient perspective and discussion moderated by Dr. Julia Brown tiny.ucsf.edu/StromalCells... @ucsfsurgery.bsky.social

Reposted by UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) @cirmnews.bsky.social · May 16

CIRM is excited to announce that we have launched our new funding programs: the DISC4 (for multidisciplinary, collaborative basic #research), #Preclinical Development (PDEV), and #ClinicalTrial (CLIN2) Awards!

Learn more about our funding programs on our website at www.cirm.ca.gov/researchers/...

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UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center @ucsfstemcell.bsky.social · May 14

The rapid advancement of CRISPR-Cas gene editing is transforming medicine, offering precise treatments for genetic disorders. Evaluating unintended effects remains crucial. UNCOVERseq, a new method, improves detection of off-target edits, enhancing the safety and effectiveness: bit.ly/UNCOVERseq

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