Welcome reception on the patio, just one of many networking opportunities There is no denying that the joining of Phacilitate Leaders World and World Stem Cell Summit has resulted in a grand buffet of tasty treats to appeal to an assortment of consumers. For the second year, the two conferences have attracted academics, industry, government, bioethicists, regulators and philanthropists to Miami, Florida, for talks, partnering, networking, awards and advocacy. This year’s event was reported to…

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September 5th, 2018, marked a momentous day for Canadian health care as Novartis announced Health Canada’s approval of Kymriah, the first genetically manipulated cell therapy to be approved in Canada. With the ability of CAR Ts like Kymriah to treat and, potentially cure, otherwise hard-to-treat cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, Canadian taxpayers will finally reap the rewards of years of intensive, publicly-funded research. Despite an exciting debut, the approval of cell therapies in Canada…

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  You know how you’ve made a resolution for 2019 that will make you a better, happier person? Well did you know last Friday (January 12) was the day when most people give up on their resolutions, according to the Independent, reporting on a new study? Signals isn’t a person, so it doesn’t get caught up in the hype around making a new year’s resolution. However, it does fall prey to the temptation for self-improvement.…

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It’s a new year and my email inbox is brimming with invitations addressed to “Dr.” Stacey Johnson to be a speaker at a scientific conference, be on a scientific editorial board, submit an article based on my research – you get the idea. So what, you say? You also get these invitations? Congratulations. My point isn’t to brag. I am questioning why these conference organizers and journals are so desperate they will invite anyone without…

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It’s the time of year when media either look forward, with predictions, or backwards to highlight what resonated with readers. (In 2016, I provided a list of my top five favourite posts, not yours, in case you’d like to check it out.) Since you are a quiet bunch in terms of leaving comments, this list of top blogs is a reflection of what you were reading, but also sharing and liking on social media (as…

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I’m on vacation and hope you are too! But catching up on one’s sleep and spending time with family is no excuse for putting learning on hold. If you like “sciart,” then these award-winning images should enhance your festive mood. Catarina Moura, University of Southampton, produced these laser-based stem cell beauties. You can read the full story and learn about her research here. Happy Holidays!  

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Ain’t science grand? It gave us antibiotics and penicillin, the law of universal gravitation, the theory of special relativity and the Big Bang, and it even explains why east coast NFL teams do poorly in night games (hint: it’s due to circadian rhythms). Just in time for Christmas, I bring you scientists explaining “the magic” of Santa Claus! Don’t “bah, humbug” me or get your tinsel in a tangle. Steve Pointing and Allan Blackman, at…

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“At any given time, close to 1,000 Canadian patients arewaiting for a stem cell transplant,” says Dr. Dana Devine, Chief Medical andScientific Officer of the CanadianBlood Services. That is despite the fact Canadian Blood Services belongs to an international network of registries that has access to 25 million donors. People making donations is not really the problem. It is more an issue of finding an appropriate “match,” which is complicated. Blogger Sara Nolte explains why…

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Big news was announced yesterday in Canada’s research community. The Government of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program is being retired on the cusp of its 30th anniversary and absorbed by the New Frontiers in Research Fund. CCRM is one of 36 networks and centres currently funded by the NCE to “mobilize Canada’s best research, development and entrepreneurial talent, and focus it on specific issues and strategic areas.” CCRM, a Centre of Excellence…

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“Every day of our lives, we are surrounded by the fruits of scientific discovery.” So writes Carrie Wolinetz, Associate Director for Science Policy, National Institutes of Health. In her Why Science Policy Matters blog, she provides several examples of tools we have, knowledge we’ve gained and advancements society has made as a result of scientific research and also science policy. Dr. Wolinetz refers to science policy as supporting “lifesaving research” and since we can’t have…

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