UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center

@ucsfstemcell.bsky.social

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Discovering the inner workings of stem cells, engineering treatments using genome editing tools, and healing patients by developing life-saving therapies.

smiling man in light green shirt in a lab setting adjacent text reading McKnight Foundation 2026 Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Awards
UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center hiring ad. Modern building and lush greenery. Announces faculty position in gene editing delivery. Includes a QR code for applying.
The Pew Charitable Trusts today announced the 2025 class of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences. The 10 postdoctoral fellows from five Latin American countries—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico—will receive two years of funding to conduct research in laboratories throughout the United States. They will work under the mentorship of prominent biomedical scientists, including alumni from the Latin American fellows program and the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences. “Scientific exchange and collaboration foster new discoveries that help advance human health for all,” said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Pew’s senior vice president for Philadelphia and scientific advancement. “Pew is proud to support this outstanding group of young researchers, whose pursuits will help pave the way to biomedicine’s future.” Fellows who choose to return to Latin America to launch their own research labs will receive additional funding from Pew. Nearly 70% of program participants have taken this path, which has helped cultivate a robust biomedical research community in Latin America. Scientists in the 2025 class are exploring a range of research topics, including examining how brain tumors evolve to resist therapy, the ways in which immune cells reduce chronic pain during pregnancy, and how the nervous system rebuilds after injury.
What’s the story? The protocol provides step-by-step methods to efficiently and safely edit the genome in human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) using the CRISPR/AAV editing platform, from preparing the repair template, maintaining the HSCs, and evaluating the editing outcomes. What did they learn? The researchers demonstrated that using their CRISPR‑Cas9 plus AAV protocol on human HSCs leads to highly efficient genome editing and robust production of functional erythroid cells in vitro. What’s the impact? The piece, published in STAR Protocols journal, provides a reliable, efficient way to edit human HSCs while keeping them healthy, paving the way for developing new genome editing therapies for blood disorders.
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments. Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors. Fellows receive up to three years of PhD dissertation support alongside numerous opportunities to connect with peers, program alumni, and HHMI scientists at every career stage. Both students and advisors benefit from tailored professional development programming and become part of HHMI’s vibrant scientific community.
Slide for AGC 28th Annual Meeting keynote lecture by Tippi C. MacKenzie, MD, titled "Prenatal Gene Therapies for Severe, Early-Onset Genetic Diseases," scheduled for May 15.
Diagram of gene therapy for α-thalassemia major: Cas9/AAV edits patient-derived HSPCs, producing corrected erythroid cells to restore hemoglobin production and improve α-globin levels.
Hiring announcement from UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center for a faculty position in biology or regenerative medicine. Includes application link.