Cell Therapy News Volume 10.37 | Sep 21 2009

Learn to Culture Mesenchymal Stem Cells with The Cell Experts(TM)
STEMCELL Technologies is offering a 2-day Mesenchymall Stem Cell Training Course to provide hands-on instruction in the in the isolation and culture of human and mouse mesenchymal stem cells.
October 2-3, Vancouver, Canada
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Complimentary Webinar: Defined, Serum-Free Culture of MSCs using MesenCult(R)-ACF Medium
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Sculpting Cells with Light
The power to manipulate cells at will comes courtesy of a new genetically encoded switch that lets researchers use light to control a cell’s shape and movement. [Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase]
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Human iPS Cells Retain Some Gene Expression of Donor Cells
Recent studies reveal that induced pluripotent stem cells maintain a “transcriptional signature.”, in essence, these cells retain some memory of the donor cells they once were. [University of California-San Diego, San Diego]
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Rare Genetic Disease Successfully Reversed Using Stem Cell Transplantation
In a recent study, the rare genetic disorder, cystinosis in mice were corrected with stem cell transplantation. [Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla]
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Improvement of Liver Stem Cell Engraftment by Protein Delivery
Researchers have engineered a chimeric protein that increases cell survival, migration and proliferation to improve stem cell engraftment. [INSERM, Paris]
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Cytori Reports Preclinical Results that Suggest Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cells may Reverse Periodontal Disease
Cytori Therapeutics reported results from their preclinical study on the use of uncultured adipose-derived regenerative cells in the treatment of critical periodontal defects in a rat model. [Cytori Therapeutics, San Diego]
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Figuring Out the Heads or Tails Decision in Regeneration
Amputations trigger a molecular response that determines if a head or tail will be regrown in planaria, a flatworm commonly studied for its regenerative capabilities. [Whitehead Institute, Cambridge]
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Initial Safety and Feasibility Study Indicates Improved Cardiac Function
According to the initial results of the study, the group’s laser revascularization therapy in conjunction with autologous stem cells was effective in improving cardiac function. [PLC Systems Inc., Franklin]
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Cardium’s Gene Activated Matrix Technology Accelerates Periodontal Tissue Regeneration
A recent study reports that Cardium’s Gene Activated Matrix(TM) or GAM(TM) technology accelerates periodontal tissue regeneration of oral implant-supporting wounds. [Cardium Therapeutics, San Diego]
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ABSTRACTS, REVIEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS

Efficient Generation of Hepatocyte-like Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
In this report, human iPS cells were induced to differentiate into hepatic cells by a stepwise protocol. [Cell Res]
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Senescence Impairs Successful Reprogramming to Pluripotent Stem Cells
Reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem is slow and stochastic and this paper identifies senescence as one such barrier limiting its efficiency. [Genes Dev]
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Revenue Seen Not Adding Up to Fees
A health-care-overhaul plan from Sen. Max Baucus would assess $123 billion in fees on health insurers, drug and medical-device manufacturers, and medical labs.
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Californian Stem Cell Agency, Germany Ink Partnership
California’s stem cell research funding agency and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research signed an agreement Thursday that lays the foundation for joint research projects.
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Connexon Creative Launches Mesenchymal Cell News
Mesenchymal Cell News is a free, weekly e-newsletter that keeps the mesenchymal cell community informed by providing the latest news from all areas of the field, including its science, policy, and business.
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Tulane Enters into Agreement to Produce Adult Stem Cells
Tulane University has announced a cooperative agreement with Repair Technologies, Inc. to develop and manufacture adult stem cells from bone marrow.
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Exiqon Announces Achievement of Primary Milestones in RNAi Project for Tacere Therapeutics
Exiqon was selected to complete a series of customized assays, aimed at the detection of therapeutic shRNA molecules.
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Cellular Dynamics International and VivoMedica Launch the CARDIOTOX Consortium to Validate a Human Cardiac Model for Preclinical Cardiotoxicity Testing
Cellular Dynamics International and VivoMedica plc announce the launch of CARDIOTOX – a pharmaceutical industry consortium to validate a human cell model and analysis system for preclinical cardiotoxicity testing of pharmaceutical candidate compounds.
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Brainstorm Enters into a Strategic Agreement with Harlan Biotech as it Approaches Clinical Trials for ALS
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced recently that it has entered into a strategic agreement with Harlan Biotech Israel Ltd in order to complete pre-clinical safety experiments for the company’s innovative therapy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
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California Stem Cell, Inc. and Stemina Biomarker Discovery Announce Collaboration to Validate Effectiveness of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Progenitors for Use in Predictive Toxicology
Collaboration between California Stem Cell, Inc. and Stemina Biomarker Discovery will demonstrate that their high purity human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte progenitor cells product, can be used as a model system for investigating and predicting drug induced cardiotoxicity.
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GENova Biotherapeutics Signs LOI with Korean University for Stem Cell Research and Patents Sharing
GENova Biotherapeutics Inc. recently announced that it has signed a letter of intent for a strategic partnership agreement with the Hospital Medical Information Department of Suncheon Cheongam University to gain access to its ground-breaking cancer stem cell research information.
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WiCell Donates $1 Million in Gear to UW-Madison Labs
Four advanced pieces of scientific laboratory equipment with a total value of approximately $1 million now are available for use by University of Wisconsin-Madison stem cell and other researchers at several campus departments and centers.
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Biotech Tries to Shrug Off Setbacks
From one perspective, the life sciences industry is a picture of expanding horizons and confidence. But even as the industry seems to be making progress, its biggest benefactors are pulling back.
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Fluidigm’s Upcoming Stem Cell Culture Chip to Speed Development, Reduce Complexity and Lower Costs
This specialized integrated fluidic circuit will enable a variety of cell culture applications, including allowing stem cell researchers to simplify and automate protocols for turning differentiated cells into stem cells, and later fine tuning the reprogramming of those stem cells into targeted differentiated cells.
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Elaine Fuchs to Receive National Medal of Science
President Barack Obama announced today that Elaine Fuchs, will receive the National Medal of Science for contributions to the biological sciences.
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Restructured Application Forms and Instructions for Submissions for FY2011 Funding (NOT-OD-09-149)
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2009 CBER Foreign Regulators Seminar
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Guidance for Industry: Considerations for Allogeneic Pancreatic Islet Cell Products
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FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States)

Submission of Quality Information for Biotechnology Products in the Office of Biotechnology Products: Extension of Deadlines to Request Participation in Pilot Program and to Submit Applications, etc., 47806–47807 [E9–22378]
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Preparation for International Conference on Harmonization; Public Meeting, 47948–47949 [E9–22445]
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Memorandum of Understanding with Duke University
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THERAPEUTIC GOODS ADMINISTRATION (Australia)

Guideline on Immunogenicity Assessment of Biotechnology-Derived Therapeutic Proteins
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