Cell Therapy News Volume 10.25 | Jul 6 2009

VIDEO: An Introduction to a New and Innovative Way of Making Uniform, Size-controlled Embryoid Bodies
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Early Heart Attack Therapy with Bone Marrow Extract Improves Cardiac Function
A study for the treatment of heart failure after heart attack found that the extract derived from bone marrow cells is as effective as therapy using bone marrow stem cells for improving cardiac function. (University of California, San Francisco)
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Stemedica Discovers Significant Breakthrough in the Use of Stem Cells and Stem Cell Factors for the Treatment of Retinal Degeneration
According to a recent study, retinal pigmented epithelium stem cells injected into the suprachoroidal space prevented the animal’s RPE cell’s degeneration and also showed that the fellow contra lateral eye showed a beneficial effect. (Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc.)
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First Human Receives Cardiac Stem Cells in Clinical Trial to Heal Damage Caused By Heart Attacks
Doctors announced recently the completion of the first procedure in which a patient’s own heart tissue was used to grow specialized heart stem cells that were then injected back into the patient’s heart in an effort to repair and re-grow healthy muscle in a heart that had been injured by a heart attack. (Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute)
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TiGenix Receives Positive Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use Opinion on European Marketing Authorisation Application for ChondroCelect
The regenerative autologous medicinal product indicated for the repair of full thickness cartilage lesions of the knee, has received a positive opinion from European authorities. (TiGenix)
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The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Joins ExCell Research Study Using Stem Cells for Leukemia and Lymphoma Patients
The phase III study is assessing the safety and efficacy of StemEx(R), an investigational product derived from stem cells, as an alternative treatment to bone marrow transplants for hematological malignancies, including leukemia and lymphoma. (University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute)
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ABSTRACTS, REVIEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Embryonic Stem Cells Are Distinguished by Gene Expression Signatures
A study of gene expression profiles of mouse and human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells suggests that, while iPSCs are quite similar to their embryonic counterparts, a recurrent gene expression signature appears in iPSCs regardless of their origin or the method by which they were generated. (Cell Stem Cell)
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Identification and Purification of Mesodermal Progenitor Cells from Human Adult Bone Marrow
Here, the researchers describe a new mesodermal progenitor population, mesodermal progenitor cells, able to differentiate into mesenchymal cells upon appropriate culture conditions. (Stem Cells and Development)
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Bioethicists Call For Public Debates on Future Uses of Stem Cells
More than 40 scientists, bioethicists, lawyers and science journal editors are calling on their colleagues, policy makers and the public to begin developing guidelines for the research and reproductive use of stem cell-derived eggs and sperm, even though such use may be a decade or more away.
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Blood Samples Raise Questions of Privacy
Many parents are currently challenging Minnesota’s practice of storing babies’ blood samples and allowing researchers to study them without their permission.
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Panel Suggests U.S. Medical Priorities
In a highly anticipated report, released Tuesday morning, a panel assembled by the Institute of Medicine released a list of 100 health topics that it said should get high priority.
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Connexon Creative Launches Cord Blood News
Cord Blood News is a weekly e-newsletter that keeps members of the cord blood community informed by providing the latest news from all areas of the field, including its science, research, policy, and business.
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GE Healthcare and Geron Announce Exclusive Global Agreement to Commercialize Stem Cell Drug Discovery Technologies
GE Healthcare and Geron Corporation recently announced that they have entered into a global exclusive license and alliance agreement to develop and commercialize cellular assay products derived from human embryonic stem cells for use in drug discovery, development and toxicity screening.
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Cellular Dynamics International and Roche Expand Existing Cardiotoxicity Screening Agreement
Cellular Dynamics International and Roche announced recently a significant expansion of their existing agreement to test drug development candidates for their potential to cause cardiotoxicity, or damage to heart tissue.
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Pluristem Therapeutics Was Awarded a $1.9 Million Grant from the Office of the Chief Scientist in the Israeli Government
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced recently that the company was awarded a $1.9 million government grant from the Office of the Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor of Israel.
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Facebook Taps Ex-Genentech CFO for Finance Chief
Internet social network powerhouse Facebook has hired the former chief financial officer of Genentech as its CFO, filing a spot that has been empty for about three months.
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Fate Therapeutics Licenses Stem-Cell Modulators for Bone Regeneration from UCLA
Fate Therapeutics said recently that it has acquired from the University of California, Los Angeles, exclusive intellectual property rights covering small molecule compositions and methods for inducing bone formation.
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Alnylam Joins Max Planck in Legal Action toward Whitehead Institute
The complaint alleges that the Whitehead Institute has breached its contractual obligations to Max Planck and Alnylam in the manner in which it is prosecuting the Tuschl I patent applications.
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Clarification of the Instructions for Applications to the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program (PAR-09-104) (NOT-GM-09-025)
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AHRQ Individual Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows (F32) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) (PA-09-229)
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Public Workshop: FDA Regulation and Licensure of Whole Blood and Blood Components
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Exceptions and Alternative Procedures Approved Under 21 CFR 640.120
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MEDICINES AND HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS REGULATORY AGENCY (United Kingdom)

Members Announced for the MHRA’s Agency Board
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Appointments Commission are pleased to announce two new appointments and two reappointments of non-executive directors to the Agency Board.
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