#  Media Mentions 2017 

 



### **December 2017**

**12/18/17** A [Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/video/series/moving-upstream/replacement-parts-organs-on-demand-moving-upstream/2ECC7FC8-9670-4C21-AAC7-8098C4173EF7) video highlights Harald Ott’s work on organ regeneration.

**12/16/17** In an article by [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/dec/17/stunning-gene-therapy-breakthrough-riposte-to-truth-tarnished-times), James Gusella comments on the potential of gene therapy to treat Huntington’s disease.

**12/7/17** An article by [Futurism](https://futurism.com/new-gene-therapy-regenerate-brain-tissue-fix-neurological-diseases/) features gene therapy research by Alessandra Biffi, which aims to help patients with neurological diseases such as Lysosomal storage diseases.

**12/4/17** Chad Cowan is collaborating with Mustang Bio to develop cancer therapies based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells that are engineered with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. *Featured:* [Endpoint News](https://endpts.com/crispr-cas9-pioneer-chad-cowan-enlists-in-mustang-bios-car-t-quest/), [GEN](https://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/mustang-bio-launches-crisprcas9-car-t-collaborations-with-harvard-bidmc/81255233)


### **November 2017**

**11/8/17** The [Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/even-if-this-als-stem-cell-experiment-fails-itll-be-considered-a-success) features Kevin Eggan’s research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He is conducting a clinical trial to test the potential of an already FDA-approved epilepsy drug to help ALS patients.

**11/20/17** A [Business Insider](http://www.businessinsider.com/semma-therapeutics-raises-114-million-for-stem-cell-diabetes-treatment-2017-11) article announces that Semma Therapeutics, a company founded by HSCI Co-Director Doug Melton to reverse type 1 diabetes, has raised $114 million.


### **October 2017**

**10/31/17** Suneet Agarwal is interviewed in an [NBC 6](https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Boy-With-Rare-Genetic-Disorder-in-Desperate-Need-of-Bone-Marrow-Transplant-454378373.html) article about a patient with a rare genetic blood disorder.

**10/10/17** [The Boston Globe](https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/10/10/are-humans-ready-for-man-made-organs/EoS9JE3Jcc2oE3qystVUWI/story.html) features “The Organ Generation,” a HUBweek event hosted by HSCI. Harald Ott, Kit Parker, and George Church discuss their work on creating organs in the laboratory.

### **August 2017**

**8/30/17** In an article in [The Scientist](https://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/50228/title/Parkinson-s-Disease-Cell-Therapy-Relieves-Symptoms-in-Monkeys/), Ole Isacson comments on a study that tested the therapeutic potential of stem cell-derived neurons in a primate model of Parkinson’s disease.

### **June 2017**

**6/8/17** In a [Boston Globe](https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/06/07/local-scientists-worry-about-nih-proposed-cap-funding-for-individual-labs/8qv6ydg4xBT32Y4a7LkVfN/story.html?event=event25) article, HSCI Co-Director Doug Melton and principal faculty member Jeffrey Karp comment on potential consequences of the NIH's plan to implement a cap on the amount of funding that individual labs can receive.

### **May 2017**

**5/21/17** HSCI Co-Director David Scadden weighs in on for-profit stem cell clinics, calling stem cell tourism "a waste of money" in a [Vogue](http://www.vogue.com/article/stem-cell-tourism-risks-cancer-skin-alzheimers-sex-brian-mehling-documentary) article.

**5/9/17** In a photo story, [Undark Magazine](https://undark.org/article/a-month-in-the-life-of-a-stem-cell-shop/) features research from HSCI Co-Director Doug Melton's lab.

**5/4/16** Leonard Zon explains how a small zebrafish can have a big impact on biomedical research in a [STAT News](https://www.statnews.com/2017/05/04/zebrafish-human-disease-harvard/) video.

### **April 2017**

**4/26/17** HSCI Nervous System Diseases Program co-lead Paola Arlotta develops a protocol that allows brain organoids to develop for more than nine months, longer than any other brain model to date. These organoids generate more diverse and mature cell types, including light-sensitive cells, than any other brain model. *Featured:* [STAT News](https://www.statnews.com/2017/04/26/miniature-brains-organoids/), [Wired](https://www.wired.com/2017/04/scientists-brew-creepiest-batches-brain-balls-yet/), [University Herald](http://www.universityherald.com/articles/74099/20170427/harvard-scientists-found-new-way-grow-complex-brain-cells-dish.htm), [Harvard Gazette](http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/new-vistas-opening-for-brain-disorder-research/), [Singularity Hub](https://singularityhub.com/2017/05/16/bizarre-mini-brains-offer-a-fascinating-new-look-at-the-brain/), [BioNews](http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_826008.asp)

**4/26/17** Kevin Eggan finds that a percentage of stem cell lines acquire a cancer-causing mutation *in vitro*, including lines being prepared for clinical use. *Featured:* [STAT News](https://www.statnews.com/2017/04/26/stem-cells-cancer-mutations/), [Oncology Times](http://journals.lww.com/oncology-times/Fulltext/2017/05250/Study_Signals_Need_to_Screen_Genes_for_Stem_Cell.3.aspx), [The Scientist](http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/49306/title/Cell-Lines-Gain-Cancer-Related-Mutations/), [The San Diego Union-Tribune](http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/biotech/sd-me-ipsc-cancer-20170426-story.html), [GEN](http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/stem-cells-in-culture-have-tendency-to-develop-cancer-linked-mutations/81254279)

**4/21//17** George Daley, HSCI principal faculty member and dean of the Harvard Medical School (HMS), talks to [NPR](http://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2017/04/21/leaders-boston-march-for-science) about why HMS and area hospitals support the March for Science.

**4/19/17** Lee Rubin weighs in on research that found a new protein in umbilical cord blood which affects memory. *Featured*: [Science Magazine](http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/04/protein-isolated-human-cord-blood-has-antiaging-effects-memory-mice-0), [Nature](https://www.nature.com/news/young-human-blood-makes-old-mice-smarter-1.21848), [Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/04/component-of-human-umbilical-cord-blood-perks-up-the-minds-of-old-mice/)

**4/12/17** In an article for [The Scientist](http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/49190/title/CRISPR-Corrects-Duchenne-Causing-Mutations/), Amy Wagers comments on work that adds to the repertoire of tools and methods used to study Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

**4/11/17** [Nature](https://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v35/n4/full/nbt.3847.html) highlights Magenta Therapeutics, a startup cofounded by HSCI Co-Director David Scadden and principal faculty member Derrick Rossi that aims to revolutionize hematopoietic stem cell transplants, in their list of top academic spinouts from 2016.

### **March 2017**

**3/30/17** [Technology Networks ](https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/giving-brown-fat-a-green-light-286950)highlights Yu-Hua Tseng's work on brown, energy-burning fat.

**3/8/17** [The ALS Forum ](http://www.alsresearchforum.org/could-some-emerging-sma-therapies-help-protect-motor-neurons-in-als/)covers Lee Rubin's most recent work towards finding therapies for neurodegenerative diseases that target motor neurons.

**3/1/17** Stuart Orkin comments on advances towards a therapy for sickle cell anemia in a [New Scientist ](https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23331154-800-gene-therapy-breakthrough/)article.

### **February 2017**

**2/23/17** Founding HSCI Executive Committee member and current dean of Harvard Medical School, George Daley, advocates for stem cell research in a [Washington Post Q&A](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/23/harvard-scientist-worries-were-reverting-to-a-pre-enlightenment-form-of-thinking/?utm_term=.7805ae297dad).

**2/21/17** Jeffrey Karp and Albert Edge use a small molecule-drug cocktail to generate the tiny, sound-sensing cells found in the inner ear. *Featured*: [STAT News](https://www.statnews.com/2017/02/22/hearing-loss-ear-regenerate-cells/), [The Scientist](http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/48586/title/Reprogramming-Hair-Cells/), [Huffington Post](http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/a-new-drug-injection-could-reverse-hearing-loss_uk_58ad5e99e4b0d0a6ef4657da), [Yahoo News](https://in.news.yahoo.com/drug-combination-may-combat-hearing-loss-132403014.html), [Boston Magazine](http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2017/02/21/hearing-loss-treatment/), [MIT News](http://news.mit.edu/2017/drug-treatment-combat-hearing-loss-0221), [NDTV](http://food.ndtv.com/health/hearing-loss-may-now-be-treated-by-a-shot-of-a-new-drug-1662670), [GEN](http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/drug-combo-can-regenerate-hair-cells-may-restore-hearing-loss/81253919), [Science Daily](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170221120810.htm), [Seeker](http://www.seeker.com/stem-cell-therapy-could-reverse-hearing-loss-2278225735.html), [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/21/mit-hearing-loss/), [Daily Mail](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4245744/Jab-cure-deafness-elderly.html), [WCCF Tech](http://wccftech.com/researchers-restore-hair-cells-hearing-loss/), [Bioscience Technology](http://www.biosciencetechnology.com/news/2017/02/drug-treatment-could-combat-hearing-loss), [Harvard Gazette](http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/03/replacing-damaged-hair-cells-may-help-treat-hearing-loss/)

### **January 2017**

**1/13/17** Amy Wagers offers perspective on aging and blood related research in [MIT Tech Review](https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603242/questionable-young-blood-transfusions-offered-in-us-as-anti-aging-remedy/). The article was reposted in [Business Insider](http://www.businessinsider.com/young-blood-plasma-transfusions-anti-aging-remedy-2017-1).