Stem cell core facilities are driving advanced therapeutics | Ken Diffenderfer | TEDxSanDiegoSalon

Pluripotent stem cells can develop, or differentiate, into all of the diverse cells in the human body. Scientists now have the ability to reverse this process, turning fully developed human cells, such as skin cells, into induced pluripotent stem cells, which can then be differentiated into any other cell type, with the patient's genetic information intact. Ken Diffenderfer and his stem cell core facility team within the Salk Institute for biological studies are serving a broad range of cutting edge research initiatives, from cardiac disease to schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, autism, depression, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and diabetes. Ken Diffenderfer, MS manages the Stem Cell Core lab operations including hands-on training of new and experienced researchers, and procurement and validation of human stem cell culture reagents, in addition to advancing gene editing technologies. Ken was also instrumental in establishing and streamlining reprogramming methodologies in the stem cell core. For his graduate work, Ken completed a CIRM Bridges sponsored MS program in Biotechnology with an emphasis in Stem Cell Technology. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx