Ep. 120: “Mending Injured Spines” Featuring Dr. Joseph Ciacci

Guest: Dr. Joseph Ciacci, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon with extensive experience in neuro-oncology of the spine and brain. Dr. Ciacci’s primary interests include tumors of the spine and brain, complex spinal reconstruction, and stereotactic radiosurgery, a form of radiation therapy that focuses high-power energy on a small area of the body. In this episode we talk to him about the results of his Phase I clinical trial transplanting stem cells into spinal cord injury patients. Featured Resource: Neural Stem Cells Wallchart Resources and Links Link between Alzheimer’s and Herpes Virus - Researchers suggest that two types of human herpes virus may play a role in Alzheimer's disease. Stopping Pandemics Like Zika Virus - A group of scientists launched a remarkable new project which aims to spot the next pandemic virus. The international initiative is known as the Global Virome Project (GVP) and it aims to pinpoint the causes of fatal new diseases before they start to make people ill. Drinking Coffee Protects Your Heart - Studies have shown that people who drink four cups of coffee a day have a lower risk of dying of a heart attack. A new study in mice may show one reason for that; caffeine in coffee gives cells energy to fight off damage. Dog’s Carry a Variety of Flu Viruses - Some dogs in southern China carry flu viruses originally transmitted from pigs. The viruses probably spread most easily where animals are crowded, such as shelters, farms and markets. New Characteristics of the Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype - Using systems-level approaches, scientists developed a replication stress response defect gene signature that predicted risk of cancer development from hyperplastic lesions. ICAM-1 Role in Blood Stem Cells - Recent advances in imaging and genetic manipulation of mouse models have allowed the identification of distinct vascular niches that have been shown to orchestrate the balance between quiescence, proliferation and regeneration of the bone marrow. Watch Spinal Cord Repair in Real Time - Monash University researchers restored movement and regenerated nerves using stem cells in zebra fish where the spinal cord is severely damaged. Scientists Solve the Case of The Missing Subplate - Scientists outlines a connection between subplate neurons and certain brain disorders, and further identifies a strategy for treating such disorders via innovative stem cell techniques. Photo Reference: Courtesy of Dr. Joseph Ciacci, MD Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe