“Accelerating Stem Cell Treatments” Featuring Dr. Maria Millan
“Accelerating Stem Cell Treatments” Featuring Dr. Maria Millan
Dr. Maria Millan is the President and CEO of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), which aims to accelerate stem cell treatments for patients with unmet medical needs. She talks about her transition from surgeon to stem cell specialist, how California culture has helped CIRM to thrive, and its role in training the next generation of stem cell scientists.

Dr. Maria Millan is an accomplished surgeon-scientist and leader, currently serving as the head of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Her leadership has kept California at the top of the list of best places to do stem cell research in the world.
Dr. Arun Sharma, host
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This Episode's Stem Cell Roundup:
- Why Some Skin Is More Sensitive – By imaging neurons in mice, researchers found that sensory neurons in areas of the body that are more sensitive to touch form stronger connections to the brain stem.
- Hair Shaft Shrinkage Depletes Stem Cells – Shrinking of the hair shaft causes hair follicle stem cell loss through Piezo1 signaling.
- Genetic Regulation of Brain Development – Scientists identified a transcription factor expressed in neural progenitors that influences developmental timing in the early human brain.
- The Emergence of Rabbit Primordial Germ Cells – Researchers studied rabbit primordial germ cells during gastrulation, and used iPSCs to generate rabbit primordial germ cell-like cells.