Ep. 84: “Visual Restoration” Featuring Dr. Deepak Lamba

Guest: Dr. Deepak Lamba is an Assistant Professor at the Buck Institute. His research is focused on identifying new methods to treat degenerative vision disorders, including macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, using stem cell technology. His work is considered pioneering amongst those focused on developing efficient methods of making retinal cells in a laboratory dish. Featured Resource: Neural Stem Cells Wallchart Resources and Links Rumours Swirl about Trump’s Science Adviser Pick – Climate sceptic William Happer and ardent critic of academia David Gelernter have met with the president. For Three Years in a Row, Earth Breaks Heat Record – For the third year running, Earth’s thermostat broke a new record: 2016 was the warmest year since record-keeping began in 1880. Heart-Hugging Robot Does the Twist (And Squeeze) – A silicone sleeve slipped over pigs’ hearts helped pump blood when the hearts failed. Promise and Perils of Marijuana Deserve More Scientific Scrutiny – The report, released January 12 by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in Washington, D.C., calls for expanding research on potential medical applications of cannabis and its products, including marijuana and chemical components called cannabinoids. Here's How Earwax Might Clean Ears – The self-cleaning marvel known as earwax may turn the dust particles it traps into agents of their own disposal. Scientists Say It's Time We Discussed Creating Humans from Stem Cells – A Kyoto University scientist, Shinya Yamanaka, and his graduate student, Kazutoshi Takahashi, re-energized the stem cell field by devising a technique to “reprogram” any adult cell, such as a skin cell, and coax it back to its earliest “pluripotent” stage where it can become any type of cell, from a heart muscle cell to a neuron. Irish Researchers Make Stem-Cell Cancer Breakthrough – Irish-led researchers have found a way to make it potentially easier to kill off tumor cells and make radiotherapy more effective for people with oesophageal cancer. Stem Cells Induce Teeth to Self-Repair – A new dental treatment could eliminate the need for man-made cavity fillings by promoting the renewal of stem cells within tooth pulp, triggering damaged teeth to repair themselves. 'Totipotent' Stem Cells Capable of Forming Viable Embryo Created from Pluripotent Cells – Stem cells with characteristics of totipotency — capable of creating all the tissue types needed to build and sustain an embryo — have been created in mice by a California-led research team. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Deepak Lambda Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe