On Monday, President Obama lifted federal restrictions on funding human embryonic stem cell research, just in time for scientists to apply for NIH grants in stem cells and regenerative medicine.

The Washington Post has a very nice collection of articles, including transcripts of Obama’s speech and a Q&A with Harvard’s David Scadden, and an analysis of the key questions Obama’s order leaves to the NIH. One link can lead you to all the rest.

The New York Times reports that stem-cell researchers won’t be flush with cash, even in California, and examines financial woes at the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine.

The most chipper story, titled “Life injected into Bay Area stem cell companies”, is from the Contra Costa Times.

It includes an anecdote from Michael West, who helped found stem cell companies Advanced Cell Technologies and Geron. West recalls a conversation with Bob Swanson, founder of biotech superstar Genentech.

“"I remember he pulled me aside and told me that stem cell research is going to be just like recombinant DNA was for the industry," West said. “Once the political cloud was lifted, the industry just exploded.”