SCIENCE NEWS Tohoku University Team Discovers New Type of Stem Cells in Human Skin, Bone A research team from Tohoku University has discovered a new type of pluripotent stem cell in the skin and bone marrow of adults, providing a possible third source of stem cells after embryonic stem cells and human-made induced pluripotent stem cells. [Press release from The Mainichi Daily News discussing online prepublication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA] An RNA Clue to Breast Cancer's Spread Clue Researchers may have found a new chink in the armor of breast cancer: a short stretch of RNA that can curb the growth of metastasized breast tumors in mice long after the cancers start growing. [Science Press Release] Scientist Grows Jaw Bone From Adult Stem Cells A Columbia scientist has become the first to grow a complex, full-size bone from human adult stem cells. [Press release from Columbia University discussing online prepublication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA] Singapore Scientists’ Finding on Early Embryonic Development has Direct Impact on Regenerative Medicine and Assisted Reproduction Scientists have recently generated significant single cell expression data crucial for a detailed molecular understanding of mammalian development from fertilization to embryo implantation, a process known as the preimplantation period. [Press release from the Genome Institute of Singapore discussing online prepublication in Developmental Cell] Researchers Modify Virus to Hunt Down and Wipe Out Cancer Cells Researchers exploited the unique markers that appear on the surface of cancer cells to engineer a range of proteins that recognize and attach to these markers. These 'targeting' proteins can be added to a virus so that it recognizes and infiltrates cancer cells. [Press release from University of Leeds discussing online prepublication in Gene Therapy] Scientists Create Stem Cells from Eggs of Aging Mice Researchers have created stem cells from the eggs of aging mice that could be used for reproductive purposes and regenerative medicine. [Press release from New York University Langone Medical Center discussing online prepublication in Aging Cell] Body Builders – The Worms that Point the Way to Understanding Tissue Regeneration Scientists have discovered the gene that enables an extraordinary worm to regenerate its own body parts after amputation — including a whole head and brain. [Press release from The University of Nottingham discussing online prepublication in PLoS Genetics] Advanced Cell Technology’s Studies to Support Phase I Multicenter Trial of Patients with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy Demonstrate Excellent Safety Profile Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. announced that it has completed key animal studies in connection with its Phase I multicenter study using embryonic stem cell derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium cells to treat patients with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy, for which it filed an Investigational New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. Press Release] StemCells, Inc. Plans to Advance to Second Clinical Trial in Batten Disease StemCells, Inc. announced that it has submitted a protocol to the Food and Drug Administration for initiation of a second clinical trial of its proprietary HuCNS-SC® human neural stem cells in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, which is also often referred to as Batten disease. [StemCells, Inc. Press Release] The Food and Drug Administration Approves Stemedica Investigational New Drug Application for Ischemic Stroke Clinical Trial Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its application for an Investigational New Drug for a clinical trial for ischemic stroke using Stemedica's high potency proprietary allogeneic stem cells. [Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. Press Release] CURRENT PUBLICATIONSAberrant Silencing of Imprinted Genes on Chromosome 12qF1 in Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells By comparing genetically identical mouse embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), researchers show here that their overall messenger RNA and microRNA expression patterns are indistinguishable with the exception of a few transcripts encoded within the imprinted Dlk1–Dio3 gene cluster on chromosome 12qF1, which were aberrantly silenced in most of the iPSC clones. [Nature] Resolution of Cell Fate Decisions Revealed by Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis from Zygote to Blastocyst Results illustrate the power of single-cell expression analysis to provide insight into developmental mechanisms. The technique should be widely applicable to other biological systems. [Dev Cell] Generation of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Eggs of Aging Mice These data demonstrate that eggs from old mice can generate pluripotent stem cells, and suggest that the isolation and in vitro culture of embryonic stem cells must select cells with high levels of DNA and telomere integrity, and/or with capacity to repair DNA and telomeres. [Aging Cell] Retargeted Adenoviral Cancer Gene Therapy for Tumor Cells Overexpressing Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor or Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor Investigators assessed the ability of bispecific fusion proteins to improve adenovirus-mediated transfer of therapeutic and marker transgenes. [Gene Ther] Knockdown of SOD1 Sensitizes the CD34+ CML Cells to Imatinib Therapy In this study, researchers found that the CD34+ subpopulation in the chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cell line K562 had a higher expression of SOD1 than that in the CD34 negative cells. [Med Oncol] Long Term Expansion of Undifferentiated Human Induced Pluripotent Stem and Embryonic Stem Cells in Suspension Culture Using a Defined Medium Researchers have applied human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPS) expressing eGFP under control of the OCT4 promoter to establish the expansion of undifferentiated human embryonic stem and hiPS cells in suspension culture. [Stem Cell Res]
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