NOVA scienceNOW: Stem Cells Update From the PBS series (originally aired April 19, 2005). Includes dispatches on the politics of stem cells, the cloning process, and related science news.
PBS: Miracle Cell This episode of the series Innovation explores the use of stem cells for regenerative therapies. (Originally aired April 13, 2004)
The Washington Post: Stem Cell Research A collection of articles on stem cell research. (Free registration required to search for other articles within the previous two weeks; fee required to search for older archived articles.)
News Web Logs
The Niche A blog hosted by Nature Reports Stem Cells that offers a forum for debate and commentary on stem cell research and its wider implications for ethics, policy, business, and medicine.
The Stem Cell Blog Discussion on the science, ethics, business, and politics of stem cell research.
Stem Cell News Abstracts of current news articles regarding stem cells, with links to sources.
American Medical Association (AMA) Provides information on the basics of stem cell research and highlights relevant policy developments.
American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Facilitates the exchange of scientific knowledge about cell biology by disseminating research and training students and young investigators.
International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Works to exchange information on stem cells, encourage research involving stem cells, and educate the public in all areas of stem cell research and application.
NIH Bioethics Resources on the Web Contains a broad collage of annotated web links that provide background information and various positions on issues in bioethics.
The President's Council on Bioethics Advises the President on ethical issues related to advances in biomedical science and technology, including stem cells.
Research Programs at Universities and Institutions
Harvard Stem Cell Institute Supports research into all aspects of stem cell biology, with special emphasis on those areas with the greatest potential for improving human health.
McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine Established for University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center scientists and clinical faculty working to develop tissue engineering, cellular therapies, biosurgery, and artificial and biohybrid organ devices.
National Human Neural Stem Cell Resource Provides neural stem cells harvested from the post-natal, post-mortem, human brain to the research community for stem cell research.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Offers grants, fellowships, and symposia for stem cell researchers; educates the public about stem cells; and establishes collaborative stem cell research facilities.
Sloan-Kettering Institute Part of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the world's oldest and largest private institution devoted to patient care, education, and research into cancer.
Texas Heart Institute Stem Cell Center Dedicated to the study of adult stem cells and their role in treating cardiovascular disease, including clinical trials (in human patients), as well as many preclinical studies (in the laboratory) using stem cells.
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Makes grants and provides loans for stem cell research, research facilities, and other research opportunities at California universities and research institutions.
New York Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) Supports basic, applied, translational or other research and development activities that will advance scientific discoveries in fields related to stem cell biology.
Ohio Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine A multi-institutional center (Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, the Cleveland Clinic, Athersys, Inc., and Ohio State University). Provides basic and clinical research programs, biomedical and tissue engineering programs, and the development and administration of new therapies.
Stem Cell Research State Laws The National Conference of State Legislatures provides an overview of the state laws and pending legislation on stem cell research.
The links included here may connect you to other Internet sites that operate independently of the NIH. The NIH is not responsible for the availability or content of other sites. Permission to reproduce information at other sites may be required. The NIH does not endorse, warrant, or guarantee the information, services, or products described or offered at these external sites.
Annotated Bibliography
Cellular Therapy: Potential Treatment for Heart Disease, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2004. Despite advances in treatment, ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure are major causes of death in the United States. Cell therapies for treating these diseases are of interest to medical researchers. This resource outlines the issues surrounding clinical studies of human stem cells and the FDA's role in ensuring safe studies.
Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Patients, National Public Radio Talk of the Nation Audio, April 2004. This one-hour audio program discusses injecting stem cells into heart patients to improve blood flow. This new treatment for heart disease uses the patient's own bone marrow to restore heart function.
Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine, by Commission on Life Sciences, 2002. Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine summarizes what we know about adult and embryonic stem cells. It also provides an overview of the moral and ethical problems that arise from the use of embryonic stem cells, compares the likely impact of public and private research funding on progress in the field, and discusses approaches to appropriate research oversight. Based on the insights of leading scientists, ethicists, and other authorities, the authors make recommendations regarding the use of existing stem cell lines versus new lines in research, the important role of the federal Related Federal Government Sites in this field of research, and other fundamental issues impacting potential stem cell-based therapies.
Unlocking the Promise of Stem Cells, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, March 2004. View an interactive videoconference in which University researchers discuss the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, created to move cutting-edge research on embryonic stem cells from the lab to the clinic.
Beyond Therapy: Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness, Report from Former President Bush's Council on Bioethics, 2003. Can biotechnology satisfy our human desires—for better children, superior performance, ageless bodies, and happy souls? This report from the President's Council on Bioethics says these possibilities present us with profound ethical challenges and choices. Not declaring "findings," but holding an inquiry—inviting us all to think and debate—the President's Council sought the ideas of dozens of celebrated scientists, thinkers and writers, including such Council members as Francis Fukuyama, Charles Krauthammer, Michael Sandel, and James Q. Wilson, as well as witnesses Steven Pinker, Daniel Schacter, Lawrence Diller, Steven Austad, and S. Jay Olshansky.
PubMed Contains references to literature from more than 4,300 life sciences journals.
Stem Cell Database A joint project of Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania that contains data on the molecular phenotype of hematopoietic stem cells.
Disease-Specific Organizations and Advocacy Groups
Adult Stem Cell Research Network An internet-based project of The Cell Therapy Foundation designed to be a well-maintained and reliable source of information for the public regarding adult stem cell research, as well as to be a community of practice and collaboration among fellow researchers.
Alliance for Aging Research This citizen advocacy organization works to improve the health and independence of Americans as they age.
ALS Association (ALSA) Dedicated to the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease), ALSA offers this primer on stem cells.
American Cancer Society Offers information on stem cell transplantation for children with leukemia.
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Funds research on treatments for central nervous system disorders and works to improve the lives of people with disabilities through a grants program, paralysis resource center, and advocacy efforts.
Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Advocates the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine, including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer.
National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) Maintains an international registry of donors for all sources of blood stem cells used in transplantation: bone marrow, peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood.
Stem Book A collection of invited, original, peer-reviewed chapters on stem cell biology written by top researchers in the field at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and worldwide. Stem Book is aimed at stem cell and non-specialist researchers.
ExploreStemCells A UK resource for the general public that discusses the use of stem cells in medical treatments and therapies.
The National Academies Publications on stem cells, including Understanding Stem Cells: An Overview of the Science and Issues from the National Academies (2006), Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (2005), Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine (2002), and Scientific and Medical Aspects of Human Reproductive Cloning (2002).
NIH-Supported Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Projects
Cellular Universe: The Promise of Stem Cells Educates visitors about advances in cell biology and stem cells so they can make more informed health-related decisions, explore new career options, and better understand the role of scientific research in healthcare.
If a Starfish Can Grow a New Arm, Why Can't I? This Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative (PTEI) educational program informs middle school students, their teachers, and the general public about tissue engineering and its applications.
NWABR Stem Cell Curriculum This 6-lesson unit explores the scientific and ethical issues involved in stem cell research. It features hands-on, engaging classroom activities that have been showcased in the journal American Biology Teacher.
Life Science Learning Center The University of Rochester educational program provide a general overview of stem cell biology and an introduction to stem cell research. Extended Version Stem Cell Biology module features a series of 10 short lessons on stem cells with hands-on lab activities and animated slide show. The Short Version” of the Stem Cell Biology module can be completed in two 40-minute class periods. Instructions for setting up the lab activity are included in the teacher guide.
A Stem Cell Story This 15-minute movie from EuroStemCell introduces the world of stem cell research and is available as a video podcast.
Stem Cells: Engage A high school teaching resource on stem cell research developed in Canada.
Stem Cells in the Spotlight and Cloning In Focus The Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah presents these outreach education programs for high school and undergraduate students and teachers.
Tissues of Life: Stem Cells An interactive comic explaining where stem cells are found in the body and how they are gathered.
World Stem Cell Map Reflects national policy and whether public funds may be used to pursue stem cell research using IVF embryos donated from fertility clinics.
International Research
Australian Stem Cell Centre Unites leading Australian academic researchers with the biotechnology industry to develop innovative therapeutic products.
EuroStemCell Eleven academic institutes and enterprises from eight European countries compare stem cell information and evaluate their therapeutic potential.
UK National Stem Cell Network Promotes research activities and events at the national level to speed the translation of basic stem cell research into therapeutic applications in the control of degenerative diseases.
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