CGT Global Blog
CGT Global News
Stay ahead in the dynamic world of Accelerating Cell and Gene Therapy with the CGT Global blog and news page. Explore insightful articles, industry updates, product updates, and expert analysis on all things CGT Global. Stay informed, inspired, and connected with CGT Global – your go-to source for cutting-edge insights in the ever-evolving realm of research, clinical projects and healthcare.
Meet CGT Global’s Scientific Team: Bryan Pulling – Laboratory Operations Manager
Written by Joanna Wirkus, PhD Every day at CGT Global, our experienced team collaborates to deliver high quality cells to scientists around the world. Success starts with the strength of our team and the dedication of the people who power it. In this edition of Meet the Scientific Team, we’re proud to spotlight Bryan Pulling — the brains behind the bench. Today, Bryan — CGT Global’s Laboratory Operations Manager in Folsom, California — shares his background and his inspiration for his work.…
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Fast-Track Your Therapy Pipeline with CGT Global’s Clinical Capabilities
By: Joanna Wirkus Despite exponential progress in the field of biology, inherited and preventable diseases continue to burden billions of people worldwide. Bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and transformative clinical therapies remains a significant challenge, , and an urgent opportunity. High-quality biospecimens are foundational to this effort, enabling the advancement of cell and gene therapy research and powering the development of next-generation treatments like CAR-T cell therapy for life-threatening conditions like hematopoietic malignancies. For over 15 years, scientific innovators across the…
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All About B Cells: Antibodies and Beyond
Written by Joanna Wirkus, PhD Introduction B cell basics B cell differentiation Antibodies Monoclonal antibodies in medicine Cytokine production Antigen presentation B cells and gene therapy: animal and human research B lymphocytes were first described in the 1960s by scientists Cooper and Good, who discovered the site of B cell maturation in birds by halting antibody production after irradiating the Bursa of Fabricius in chicks. Much has been discovered about B cells in the past 60 years, but they remain incompletely understood…
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When Politics Blocks Progress: Funding Health Discoveries in Peril
Shifting Political Priorities Threaten the Bedrock of Health Science Investment By: Joanna Wirkus PhD July 2025 ** For scientists under pressure from shifting funding priorities, CGT Global has curated a FREE downloadable funding toolkit with resources to support your long-term funding acquisition strategy. Complete with a grant planning checklist, a curated list of 35+ funding opportunities, and a funding tracking spreadsheet – for preclinical to clinical researchers, visa holders, and graduate student through distinguished professors. ======================================================================= ~50% of global biomedical research is…
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CGT Sourcing Guide 2025: How to Build a Resilient Supply Chain Amid Tariff Pressures
By CGT Global The latest round of U.S. tariffs didn’t just shake up the headlines—it shook the very foundations of global pharma supply chains. And while most of the buzz has focused on traditional drugmakers, let’s be clear: cell and gene therapy manufacturers aren’t sitting this one out. For companies working with high-value, time-sensitive materials like Leukopaks, PBMCs, CD34+ cells, and viral vectors, even subtle disruptions can have massive downstream consequences. Now, with added costs, uncertain delivery timelines, and sourcing challenges entering…
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How Natural Killer Cells are Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment
By Joanna Wirkus What makes Natural Killer (NK) Cells the Perfect Weapon Against Cancer? Unlike the T cells of the adaptive immune system, innate natural killer (NK) cells protect the body against tumors without prior programming. They recognize and become activated by abnormal cells that lack or express key outer membrane markers characteristic of cancer. One way NK cells initiate malignant cell death is by unleashing granules of membrane penetrating perforins and caspase-activating, apoptosis-initiating granzymes. Their inherent anti-cancer abilities make NK cells…
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How to Improve Humanized Mouse Engraftment: CD34+ Cell Sourcing & Viability Tips
By: Joanna Wirkus Simple Steps to Significantly Improve Humanized Mice Engraftment Success Previously in “Overcoming Challenges with Animal Models in Research”, we covered why animal models with human immune systems have significantly improved the translation of preclinical findings into life-saving treatments. Successfully creating these advanced models for testing new therapies relies on high hematopoietic stem cell engraftment rates. By boosting engraftment rates, scientists can better model human diseases to advance drug development and immune system engineering. Low engraftment rates can lead to…
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Cord Blood CD34+ Cells: High Viability for Humanized Mouse Models
By: Joanna Wirkus The Rise of Cord Blood CD34+ Cells in Humanized Mouse Models and Cell Therapy Innovation Scientists in the late 1980’s discovered that umbilical cord blood derived stem cells had high proliferative potential and tolerated cryopreservation and thawing (Broxmeyer, 1989). Building on this research, the first report of cord blood derived CD34+ human stem cells successfully engrafting and restarting hematopoiesis in immunodeficient mice was published in 1997 (Hogan, 1997). Placenta and umbilical cords were previously discarded as medical waste. Today,…
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Cryopreservation in Cell and Gene Therapy: Ensuring High-Viability Cells for Research & Manufacturing
By Joanna Wirkus The Role of Cryopreservation in Cell and Gene Therapy Cryopreservation is a cornerstone of cell and gene therapy, enabling the long-term storage and viability of vital cell types such as CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells used in CAR-T therapies. Interestingly, nature has its own version of cryopreservation: the North American wood frog survives winter by producing natural cryoprotectants like glucose and urea-no liquid nitrogen required. How Cryopreservation Works Water’s…
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CellsExpress: Affordable, Bulk Isolated Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells That Accelerate Your Cell and Gene Therapy Research
By Joanna Wirkus Bulk Bone Marrow Stem Cells for Research | CGT Global The race to develop life-saving cell and gene therapies is intensifying. Amid shifting political pressures, uncertain funding landscapes, and rising inflation, scientists are being asked to do more with less. Time, money, and labor must be optimized at every step—and that starts with securing a consistent, cost-effective source of stem cells. For researchers working with bone marrow-derived stem cells, sourcing high-quality material can drain time and resources. That’s where CellsExpress from CGT…
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Optimizing Gene and Cell Therapy Research by Starting with Properly Sourced Human Bone Marrow Cells
By: Joanna Wirkus Bone Marrow Cells: Critical Tools Driving Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Surprisingly safe and well tolerated, the first bone marrow biopsy was performed on the shinbone in 1908 by Italian physician Giovanni Ghedini. Today, bone marrow continues to be an important source of information about the health status of individuals with bone marrow disorders and a gold mine for new discoveries in stem cell science to benefit society. By studying bone marrow cells, scientists can unlock important, life-saving…
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Gene Therapy Research: Past, Present, Future
Gene Therapy Research: Past, Present, Future By: Joanna Wirkus Gene Therapy: Where We’ve Been: The Human Genome Project concluded in 2003 after 13 years of effort aimed at mapping the entire Human Genome and improving DNA sequencing technology at large. This milestone set the foundation for a better understanding of the drivers of disease at the molecular level. Since then, scientists have been harnessing the power of genetics and genomics to revolutionize therapeutic approaches for the treatment of diseases. CGT Global…
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