Cell Therapy News Volume 11.14 | Apr 19 2010

TOP STORY

Major Breakthrough Offers Hope of Preventing Mitochondrial Diseases
Scientists have developed a pioneering technique which enables them for the first time to successfully transfer DNA between two human eggs. The technique has the potential to help prevent the transmission of serious inherited disorders known as mitochondrial diseases. [Press release from Newcastle University discussing online prepublication in Nature]

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SCIENCE NEWSScripps Research Scientists Solve Mystery of Fragile Stem Cells
Scientists have solved the decade-old mystery of why human embryonic stem cells are so difficult to culture in the laboratory, providing scientists with useful new techniques and moving the field closer to the day when stem cells can be used for therapeutic purposes. [Press release from Scripps Research Institute discussing online prepublication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]

Chinese Scientists Discover Marker Indicating the Developmental Potential of Stem Cells
Researchers in China are reporting that they have found a way to determine which somatic cells that have been reprogrammed into a primordial, embryonic-like state are the most viable for therapeutic applications. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in the Journal of Biological Chemistry]

Hair Stimulating Complex Trial Shows Continued Significant Hair Growth at One Year Follow-Up
Histogen, Inc. announced the one year data findings of its Hair Stimulating Complex pilot clinical trial. [Histogen, Inc. Press Release]

Quebec Researchers Uncover Gene Therapy Treatment
Researchers at Quebec City's Laval University say they have made steps toward a treatment of a severe form of muscular dystrophy. [Press release from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation discussing online prepublication in Gene Therapy]

How Can You Heal a Broken Heart?
Researchers are evaluating the safety, feasibility and efficacy of injecting stem cells into the hearts of patients while they are undergoing coronary bypass surgery. [Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal Press Release]

Glass Helps Damaged Bone Regenerate
The goal is to place in the body a glass “scaffold” that promotes transport of blood and nutrients through interconnected pores and allows new cells to grow, without causing infection or a systemic reaction. [Lehigh University Press Release]

Bioheart Commenced Successful Regenerative Stem Cell Treatments with Latin American Patients Having Congestive Heart Failure
Bioheart, Inc. announced that treatment with stem cell therapy on two congestive heart failure patients was performed successfully at the Hospital Angeles Tijuana, Mexico, through Bioheart's Center of Excellence program with Regenerative Medicine Institute. [PRNewswire Press Release]

CURRENT PUBLICATIONSPronuclear Transfer in Human Embryos to Prevent Transmission of Mitochondrial DNA Disease
Researchers show that transfer of pronuclei between abnormally fertilized human zygotes results in minimal carry-over of donor zygote mtDNA and is compatible with onward development to the blastocyst stage in vitro. [Nature]

Male Fetal Germ Cell Differentiation Involves Complex Repression of the Regulatory Network Controlling Pluripotency
Investigators hypothesize that active repression of pluripotency is required for fetal male germ cell differentiation and that failure of this mechanism may render germ cells susceptible to tumor formation. [FASEB J]

Hepatocyte Growth Factor/MET Gene Transfer in Cardiac Stem Cells – Potential for Cardiac Repair
Researchers discuss the possible application of hepatocyte growth factor/MET gene therapy to enhance the ability of cardiac stem cells to promote myocardial regeneration. [Basic Res Cardiol]

Activation of the Imprinted Dlk1-Dio3 Region Correlates with Pluripotency Levels of Mouse Stem Cells
In this study, investigators identified a conserved imprinted region of the mouse genome, the Dlk1-Dio3 region, which was activated in fully pluripotent mouse stem cells but repressed in partially pluripotent cells. [J Biol Chem]

Meganucleases Can Restore the Reading Frame of a Mutated Dystrophin
This study provides proof of principle that meganucleases that are adequately engineered to target appropriate sequences in the human dystrophin gene should be able to restore the normal reading frame of that gene in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients with an out-of-frame deletion. [Gene Ther]

Rederivation of Transgenic Mice from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Frozen Tissue
Researchers demonstrate for the first time that induced pluripotent stem cells can be efficiently derived from frozen-stored-thawed tail tissue and fibroblasts and used to re-establish a transgenic mouse line. [Transgenic Res]

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POLICY

Stem Cell Funding in Sight
Two of the most widely used embryonic stem cell lines could be just weeks away from being eligible for United States federal funding. [Obama Administration, United States]

Obama Picks Pragmatists for New Bioethics Panel
President Barack Obama named the members of his bioethics commission — headed by two university presidents. [National Bioethics Commission, United States]

Indian Council for Medical Research Clears Use of Cord Blood Banking, Minimally Manipulated Stem Cells to Treat Debilitating Diseases
Indian Council for Medical Research has consented to permit cord blood banking and use of minimally manipulated stem cells to treat debilitating diseases. [Indian Council for Medical Research, India]

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BUSINESS

Patents Block Competition, Slow Innovation in Gene Testing
Exclusive licenses to gene patents, most of which are held by academic institutions and based on taxpayer-funded research, do more to block competition in the gene testing market than to spur the development of new technologies for gauging disease risk. [Duke University Press Release]

RXi Pharmaceuticals Announces Formation of microRNA Research Collaboration with Mirna Therapeutics
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it has entered into a research collaboration with Mirna Therapeutics, to determine the utility of combining RXi's proprietary rxRNA™ technology with Mirna's microRNA mimics as potential therapeutics in oncology. [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Press Release]

RXi Pharmaceuticals and miRagen Therapeutics Announce Formation of Research Collaboration in the Field of microRNA
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference, and miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by developing innovative microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease, announced today that they have entered into a research collaboration. Under this agreement, the parties will evaluate the potential utility of RXi's proprietary rxRNA(TM) technology against specific miRNA targets of interest to miRagen in the cardiac and neuromuscular disease areas. [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Press Release]

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Stem Cell Scientists Explore Treatments for Blood Disorders and Lung Diseases
Stem cell scientists were awarded stimulus grants totaling almost $2 million to research experimental treatments for blood disorders and inherited lung diseases affecting children. [The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Press Release]

BioFocus Launches Four Compound Libraries Targeting Kinases and Protein-Protein Interactions
BioFocus announced the launch of four biologically targeted libraries. These new libraries contain novel, drug-like compounds that specifically target kinases and protein-protein interactions. [BioFocus Press Release]

Einstein Receives $10 Million National Institutes of Health Grant to Expand Stem Cell Research Facilities
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has been awarded $10 million from the National Institutes of Health to expand its stem cell research capabilities. [Albert Einstein College of Medicine Press Release]

Stemgent and Pfizer Announce Collaboration
Stemgent, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. announced a collaboration and research licensing agreement that will lead to certain research reagents developed or discovered by Pfizer being made available to the global research community through Stemgent. [Business Wire]

Entest Biomedical Announces Intent to Acquire Medistem
Entest BioMedical, Inc. announced that a Letter of Intent has been executed regarding the acquisition of approximately 61% of Medistem Inc. [MarketWire]

Third Rock Ventures Eyes New $400 Million Fund
Third Rock Ventures LLC, a venture capital firm based in Boston, plans to raise a $400 million investment fund, according to a document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. [Boston Business Journal]

Bay Street Says Life Sciences Fare Better in United States
Canadian life sciences companies that need to raise cash in capital markets are best served going south of the border for their financing needs, Bay Street specialty bankers said. [Reuters]

Regenerative Medicine Company Wants Biobusiness Center Space
A start-up biotech company will seek Rochester City Council approval to put a manufacturing facility in the Minnesota Biobusiness Center. [The Post-Bulletin]

Quebec Biotechs in Tailspin
Once Canada’s envy, and in the same league as Boston and San Francisco, Quebec’s biotechnology industry is a shadow of its former self and in danger of disappearing, observers say. [The Gazette]

Working For A Biotech Start-Up
Fledgling firms offer rewards that sometimes outweigh the risks of conducting high-stakes research on a fast track. [Chemical and Engineering News]

NIH

Policy Reminder Concerning Appendix Materials for All National Institutes of Health/Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Grant Applications (NOT-OD-10-077)

Enhancing Peer Review: Clarification of Resubmission Policy and Determination of New Application Status (NOT-OD-10-080)

Guidance on Confirming Appropriate Charges to NIH Awards During Periods of Noncompliance for Activities Involving Animals (NOT-OD-10-081)

Update of Sample Animal Welfare Assurance for Foreign Institutions (NOT-OD-10-083)

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Small Research Grant Program (R03) (PAR-10-168)

CBER

Human Cell, Tissues and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products (HCT/P) List of Registered Establishments

REGULATORY

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States)

Preparation for International Conference on Harmonisation Steering Committee and Expert Working Group Meetings in Tallinn, Estonia; Regional Public Meeting [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001]

EVENTS

5th Canadian Symposium of Gene Therapy and Vaccines
May 2-4, 2010
Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Canada

Society for Biological Engineering's (SBE) 2nd International Conference on Stem Cell Engineering
May 2-5, 2010
Boston, United States

Select BioSciences' 4th Annual RNAi & miRNA World Congress
May 5-7, 2010
Boston, United States

World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2010
May 11-13, 2010
London, United Kingdom

American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy 2010 Clinical Trials Training Course and 13th Annual Meeting
May 17-22, 2010
Washington, DC, United States

2010 Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI) Stem Cell Symposium: Epigenetics, Transcriptomics and Nanobiotechnology of Stem Cells
May 20-21, 2010
Brisbane, Australia

16th Annual International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) Meeting
May 23-26, 2010
Philadelphia, United States

ESTOOLS International Scientific Symposium: Stem Cells in Biology and Disease
May 26-28, 2010
Lisbon, Portugal

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – European Union 2010
June 13-17, 2010
Galway, Ireland

International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 8th Annual Meeting
June 16-19, 2010
San Francisco, United States

XXXIst International Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in joint cooperation with the 43rd Congress of the German Society for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology (DGTI)
June 26-July 1, 2010
Berlin, Germany

United Kingdom National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) 3rd Annual Scientific Conference
July 12-14, 2010
Nottingham, United Kingdom

2nd International Conference on Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (ICCMB2)
August 2-4, 2010
Singapore City, Singapore

Select BioSciences 3rd Annual Stem Cells Europe Conference
August 24-25, 2010
Edinburgh, Scotland

International Society for Cellular Therapy – Europe 2nd Regional Meeting
September 11-14, 2010
Belgirate, Italy

Hydra VI: The European Summer School on Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine
September 11-17, 2010
Hydra, Greece

Stem Cells USA & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2010
September 13-15, 2010
Philadelphia, United States

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – Asia Pacific 2010
September 15-17, 2010
Sydney, Australia

2010 World Stem Cell Summit
October 4-6, 2010
Detroit, United States

5th World Congress on Preventive & Regenerative Medicine (WCRM)
October 5-7, 2010
Hannover, Germany

American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) Annual Meeting & Cellular Therapy and Transfusion Medicine Expo (CTTXPO) 2010
October 9-12, 2010
Baltimore, United States3rd Annual Dubai Congress on Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine (DCAAAM)
October 26-27, 2010
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress Asia 2010
October 26-29, 2010
Singapore City, Singapore

Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium 2010
October 29-30, 2010
Leipzig, Germany

Stem Cell Network 10th Annual Scientific Meeting
November 22-24, 2010
Calgary, Canada

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – North America 2010 Annual Conference
December 5-8, 2010
Orlando, United States

Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.

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