Cell Therapy News Volume 11.42 | Nov 1 2010

May 12, 2022

Cell Therapy News 11.42, November 1, 2010.

Tree Cells Point Towards Cancer Drug
Researchers have isolated and grown stem cells from a yew tree whose bark is a natural source of the anticancer compound paclitaxel. [Press release from the University of Edinburgh discussing online prepublication in Nature Biotechnology]

SPECIAL FEATURE

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SCIENCE NEWS

1000 Genomes Project Publishes Analysis of Completed Pilot Phase
Small genetic differences between individuals help explain why some people have a higher risk than others for developing illnesses such as diabetes or cancer. The 1000 Genomes Project, an international public-private consortium, published the most comprehensive map of these genetic variations estimated to contain approximately 95 percent of the genetic variation of any person on Earth. [Press release from the National Institutes of Health discussing online prepublication in Nature]

Whole Genome Sequencing of Japanese Individual Reveals Wealth of Undiscovered Genetic Variation
Researchers have uncovered hundreds of thousands of previously unknown variations in the human genome using new massively parallel sequencing technology. The findings, based on the complete sequencing of the genome of a single Japanese individual, provide vital clues on the role of rare genetic variants in disease susceptibility. [Press release from the RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine discussing online prepublication in Nature Genetics]

Horizon’s X-MAN Cell-Models Predict That a Subset of KRAS Mutated Cancers Respond to EGFR Therapy
Horizon Discovery announced the results of a clinical study, in which the Company’s X-MAN (gene-X, Mutant And Normal) cell-models were used to predict that a subset of KRAS mutated cancers respond to EGFR therapy. [Press release from Horizon Discovery Limited discussing online prepublication in the Journal of the American Medical Association]

Researchers Develop More Precise Genetic ‘Off Switches’
Researchers have found a way to 'cage' genetic off switches in such a way that they can be activated when exposed to UV light. Their technology gives scientists a more precise way to control and study gene function in localized areas of developing organisms. [Press release from North Carolina State University discussing online prepublication in the Journal of the American Chemical Society]

Researchers Generate iPSCs to Further Treatments for Lung Disease
A team of researchers from Boston University's Center for Regenerative Medicine and the Pulmonary Center have generated 100 new lines of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from individuals with lung diseases, including cystic fibrosis and emphysema. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in Stem Cells]

Too Much SP2 Protein Turns Stem Cells into 'Evil Twin' Tumor-Forming Cancer Cells
Researchers have found that the overproduction of a key protein in stem cells causes those stem cells to form cancerous tumors. [Press release from North Carolina State University discussing online prepublication in Cancer Research]

New High-Content Assay to Increase Human Embryonic Stem Cell Survival
Researchers from the Universities of Dundee, Glasgow and Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, have produced a high-content assay for human embryonic stem cell survival and used this to screen a range of libraries of ‘lead-like’ small molecules and known bioactives. [Press release from The Medical News discussing online prepublication in the Biochemical Journal]

Researchers Find ‘Goldilocks’ of DNA Self-Assembly
Researchers have found a way to optimize the development of DNA self-assembling materials, which hold promise for technologies ranging from drug delivery to molecular sensors. The key to the advance is the discovery of the 'Goldilocks' length for DNA strands used in self-assembly — not too long, not too short, but just right. [Press release from North Carolina State University discussing online prepublication in Langmuir]

Stem Cell Model Breakthrough for Brain Disease Research
Research on brain diseases has leaped forward with stem cells from the nose revealing important new clues about brain disorders. Investigators report on a new cell model they have developed to investigate brain diseases based on patient-derived stem cells. [Press release from Griffith University discussing online prepublication in Disease Models and Mechanisms]

New Study Identifies a Possible Cause of a Specific Type of Immunodeficiency Disease
A new study has found for the first time that a specific type of immunodeficiency disease is caused by defective repair of DNA damage. [Press release from Memorial University discussing online prepublication in Immunogenetics]

Nanoshells Provide Golden 'Touch' in Killing Breast Tumors
Using tiny gold 'nanoshells' to deliver just a little heat to breast tumor cells already treated with radiation boosts the killing potential of the treatment — not just shrinking the tumor but killing the cancer stem cells. [Press release from Baylor College of Medicine discussing online prepublication in Science Translational Medicine]

Researchers Lay Groundwork for Artificial Human Testicle
Researchers have now found a way to propagate primary human Sertoli cells in the laboratory — the first step, say investigators, to developing an artificial human testicle for reproductive research. [Press release from PR Web discussing research presented at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine]

Researchers Build Colony of Colon Cancer Stem Cells to Test New Approach to Therapy
University of Pittsburgh researchers have devised a three-dimensional system in laboratory culture that mimics the growth patterns of colon cancer stem cells in patients. [Press release from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) discussing research presented at the AACR conference Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy]

Tengion Presents New Large Animal Data Demonstrating Functional Kidney Regeneration at the American Society for Transplantation Annual Conference
New early data from Tengion's Neo-Kidney Augment™ development program demonstrated promising improvements in kidney function with an autologous cellular therapy approach to kidney regeneration in a canine model of chronic kidney disease. Specifically, the data showed improvements in kidney filtration, protein balance, and weight gain in treated animals compared to a control group. [Press release from Tengion, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Society of Transplantation's Annual Scientific Exchange]

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

A Map of Human Genome Variation from Population-Scale Sequencing
The 1000 Genomes Project aims to provide a deep characterization of human genome sequence variation as a foundation for investigating the relationship between genotype and phenotype. Here, researchers present results of the pilot phase of the project, designed to develop and compare different strategies for genome-wide sequencing with high-throughput platforms. [Nature]

Whole-Genome Sequencing and Comprehensive Variant Analysis of a Japanese Individual Using Massively Parallel Sequencing
The analysis suggests that considerable variation remains undiscovered in the human genome and that whole-genome sequencing is an invaluable tool for obtaining a complete understanding of human genetic variation. [Nat Genet]

Cultured Cambial Meristematic Cells as a Source of Plant Natural Products
Researchers isolated and cultured innately undifferentiated cambial meristematic cells. Using a combination of deep sequencing technologies, they identified marker genes and transcriptional programs consistent with a stem cell identity. [Nat Biotechnol]

Photocaged Morpholino Oligomers for the Light-Regulation of Gene Function in Zebrafish and Xenopus Embryos
Researchers report a novel and efficient synthetic route for incorporating photocaged monomeric building blocks directly into morpholino oligomers and demonstrate the utility of these caged morpholinos in the light-activated control of gene function in both cell culture and living embryos. [J Am Chem Soc]

Generation of Transgene-Free Lung Disease-Specific Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using a Single Excisable Lentiviral Stem Cell Cassette
Researchers report the use of a humanized version of a single lentiviral 'stem cell cassette' vector to accomplish efficient reprogramming of normal or diseased skin fibroblasts obtained from humans of virtually any age. [Stem Cells]

Overexpression of Transcription Factor Sp2 Inhibits Epidermal Differentiation and Increases Susceptibility to Wound and Carcinogen-Induced Tumorigenesis
Researchers report that Sp2 protein abundance in mice increases in concert with the progression of carcinogen-induced murine squamous cell carcinomas. [Cancer Res]

High-Content Screening of Feeder-Free Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Identify Pro-Survival Small Molecules
Researchers have developed a high-content assay for human embryonic stem cell survival and used this to screen a range of libraries of ‘lead-like’ small molecules and known bioactives. [Biochem J]

Effect of Oligonucleotide Length on the Assembly of DNA Materials: Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Layer-by-Layer DNA Films
Researchers applied molecular dynamics simulations in a synergistic effort with layer-by-layer experimental data to understand the effect of DNA strand length on the assembly of DNA films. The results indicate that short (less than 10 bases) and long (more than 30 bases) single-stranded DNAs do not exhibit optimal film growth, and this can be associated with the limited accessibility of the bases on the surface due to formation of self-protected interactions that prevent efficient hybridization. [Langmuir]

Thermal Enhancement with Optically Activated Gold Nanoshells Sensitizes Breast Cancer Stem Cells to Radiation Therapy
Findings suggest that local hyperthermia delivered by gold nanoshells plus radiation can eliminate radioresistant breast cancer stem cells. [Sci Transl Med]

POLICY

U.S. Says Genes Should Not Be Eligible for Patents
Reversing a longstanding policy, the federal government said that human and other genes should not be eligible for patents because they are part of nature. The new position could have a huge impact on medicine and on the biotechnology industry. [Department of Justice, United States]

Another Round of Filings in Stem Cell Court Case
The paperwork continues to pile up in the lawsuit challenging the legality of the National Institutes of Health's stem cell guidelines, the latest installments being two more briefs from attorneys on both sides. A district court judge could rule on the underlying case very soon, potentially halting research again — at least briefly. [District Court for the District of Columbia, United States]

White House Science Office Sued Over 'Scientific Integrity' Docs
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility has filed a lawsuit seeking an explanation for why the Obama Administration is 18 months late on delivering its promised guidelines on scientific integrity for the federal government. [Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, United States]

BUSINESS

Cellectis and the Center for iPS Cells Research and Application Enter Collaboration
Cellectis and the Center for iPS Cells Research and Application (CiRA) of Kyoto University have announced that they have started a scientific collaboration to combine Cellectis’ genome engineering technologies with CiRA’s induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) technology to improve the natural characteristics of iPS cells for use as cellular tools. [Cellectis Press Release]

Aastrom and ATEK Medical Form Strategic Manufacturing and Development Partnership
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. and ATEK Medical announced the formation of a new strategic partnership in which ATEK Medical will supply key components and technology for use in Aastrom's proprietary cell manufacturing process. [Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. Press Release]

Advaxis Signs CRADA with Vaccine Branch of NCI
Advaxis, Inc. is pleased to announce it has signed a formal research agreement with the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. The Vaccine Section of National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Advaxis Inc. have entered into a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for the development of live attenuated Listeria vaccines for the treatment of cancer. [Advaxis, Inc. Press Release]

Boehringer Ingelheim and MacroGenics Announce Global Alliance to Discover, Develop and Commercialize DART™-Based Antibody Therapeutics
Boehringer Ingelheim and MacroGenics jointly announced that they have entered into a global alliance to discover, develop and commercialize antibody-based therapeutics which may span multiple therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, respiratory, cardiometabolic and infectious diseases. [MacroGenics, Inc. Press Release]

MacroGenics Enters Global Research Collaboration and License Agreement with Pfizer
MacroGenics, Inc. announced that it has entered into a global research collaboration and license agreement with Pfizer Inc. to discover, develop and commercialize Dual-Affinity Re-Targeting (DART™) products directed at two undisclosed cancer targets. [MacroGenics, Inc. Press Release]

GE Healthcare to Acquire Cancer Diagnostic Company Clarient Inc.
GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company, and Clarient, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for GE Healthcare to acquire Clarient, a leading player in the fast-growing molecular diagnostics sector. [General Electric Company Press Release]

Immune Design Grants Adjuvant License to MedImmune
Immune Design Corporation (IDC) announced that it has entered into a license and development agreement with MedImmune for the use and commercialization of IDC’s proprietary Glucopyranosyl Lipid Adjuvant as a component in vaccines for select infectious diseases. [PR Newswire]

Bertarelli Foundation Brings Together Harvard Medical School and Swiss University EPFL to Create Joint Neuroengineering Program
Harvard Medical School and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have established a joint research and education program thanks to a contribution from the Bertarelli Foundation. [Harvard Medical School Press Release]

Over 400 Top Researchers Selected in the European Research Council's Third Prestigious 'Starting Grant' Competition
The European Research Council is awarding some EUR 580 million to 427 early career top researchers in its competition for ‘Starting Grants’. Worth up to EUR 2 million each, the grants will enable them to carry out their pioneering ideas in any field of research, throughout Europe. [European Research Council, European Union]

aTyr Pharma Secures $23 Million Financing From Top Tier Venture Investor
aTyr Pharma announced a $23 million dollar Series C equity financing led by Domain Associates. [aTyr Pharma Press Release]

Sanofi-aventis Completes $10 Million Equity Investment in Regulus Therapeutics
Regulus Therapeutics Inc. announced that the Company has received a $10 million equity investment from Sanofi-aventis in connection with the landmark alliance the two companies entered into on June 21, 2010. [Regulus Therapeutics Inc. Press Release]

Sirius Genomics Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent
Sirius Genomics, a developer of companion diagnostics, announced that U.S. Patent # 7,820,376 entitled “Protein C Polymorphisms” has been issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent relates to a novel use of a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) located in the Protein C gene. [PR Newswire]

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics Successfully Lowers Cholesterol In Vivo With Enhanced Novel MicroRNA AAV Gene Therapy
Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics Holding N.V. announced that its gene therapy product incorporating siRNA sequences into microRNA scaffolds to silence Apolipoprotein B100 (AAV-miApoB) was able to significantly lower plasma cholesterol levels in vivo over a period of 18 weeks. [Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics Press Release]

Stem Cell Central: The Lorry I. Lokey Building
The Lokey Building, an incredible new laboratory facility, is built on a design championed by faculty to facilitate research in one of the most exciting interdisciplinary areas of the 21st century — stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. [Stanford University School of Medicine Press Release]

IntegraGen to Open U.S. Subsidiary in Cambridge, Massachusetts
IntegraGen Inc. announced that it is expanding its operations by opening a U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts that will support the company’s clinical research initiatives focused on the early identification of children at risk of autism. [IntegraGen Inc. Press Release]

NIH

NIH Introduces Images, a Database of Images in Biomedical Literature
More than 2.5 million images and figures from medical and life sciences journals are now available through Images, a new resource for finding images in biomedical literature.

NIH Recovery Act Grants to Foster Scientific Workforce Diversity
The National Institutes of Health has awarded six grants totaling approximately $12 million over three years through a new initiative aimed at fostering a diverse scientific workforce.

CBER

2010 Meeting Materials, Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee

Public Workshop on Cell and Gene Therapy Clinical Trials in Pediatric Populations; Link to Videocast Added

Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001]

Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001]

REGULATORY

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States)

Request for Notification from Industry Organizations Interested in Participating in the Selection Process for Nonvoting Industry Representatives on Public Advisory Committees and Panels and Request for Nonvoting Industry Representatives on Public Advisory Committees and Panels [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001]

Pediatric Oncology Subcommittee of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting. [FR Doc. 2010-27322]

EVENTS (Listed by Date)

FDA Public Workshop on Cell and Gene Therapy Clinical Trials in Pediatric Populations
November 2, 2010
North Bethesda, United States

BioMalaysia 2010
November 2-3, 2010
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Stem Cell Society Singapore Symposium 2010: Translating Science to Therapy
November 2-3, 2010
Singapore

NEW In Vitro Toxicology Society Annual Meeting
November 2-3, 2010
Liverpool, United Kingdom

2010 National GvHD Symposium
November 4, 2010
Cleveland, United States

World Cord Blood Congress
November 4-7, 2010
Marseille, France

9th Annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) International Conference: Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research
November 7-10, 2010
Philadelphia, United States

Cambridge Healthtech Institute's Inaugural Stem Cells in Drug Discovery and Development
November 8-9, 2010
San Diego, United States

GTCbio 8th Annual Vaccines: “All Things Considered” Conference
November 8-9, 2010
Washington, D.C., United States

NEW Third Annual Research Experience of Stem Cells in European Society (RESCUES) Conference
November 8-9, 2010
Oxford, United Kingdom

5th Annual European Biomarkers Summit
November 9-10, 2010
Florence, Italy

Select Biosciences 2nd International Forum on Stem Cells
November 12-13, 2010
Tianjin, China

Select Biosciences 2nd Annual RNAi Asia Conference and Exhibition
November 15-16, 2010
Singapore

The 16th International Conference of the International Society of Differentiation: From Stem Cells to Organisms
November 15-18, 2010
Nara, Japan

3rd Annual Workshop on Genome Engineering
November 16, 2010
Seattle, United States

22nd European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-National Cancer Institute (NCI)-American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Symposium: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics
November 16-19, 2010
Berlin, Germany

9th Annual Gene Therapy Symposium for Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases
November 17-19, 2010
Sonoma, United States

8th Annual Commercial Translation of Regenerative Medicine Conference
November 18-19, 2010
London, United Kingdom

Translational Excellence in Regenerative Medicine (TeRM) – Biophysical Stimuli and Mass Transport for Tissue Development
November 18-19, 2010
Lattrop, The Netherlands

4th Annual Conference of the Korea Society of Gene Therapy (KSGT)
November 19, 2010
Seoul, Korea

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

HealthTech and Medicines Knowledge Transfer Network 7th Annual BioProcessUK Conference
November 24-25, 2010
Manchester, United Kingdom

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Tumor Immunology – Basic and Clinical Advances
November 30-December 3, 2010
Miami, United States

2nd European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Meeting on Cardiac and Pulmonary Regeneration
December 3-4, 2010
Vienna, Austria

3rd Annual BioPartnering China
December 5-7, 2010
Shanghai, China

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

5th Annual Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa
December 7, 2010
La Jolla, United States

Genesis 2010
December 9, 2010
London, United Kingdom

The American Society for Cell Biology 50th Annual Meeting
December 11-15, 2010
Philadelphia, United States

NEW Pharmacology in Stem Cells Research and Regenerative Medicine
December 17, 2010
London, United Kingdom

Functional Consequences of Structural Variation in the Genome
January 8-13, 2011
Steamboat Springs, United States

COGEM Symposium: GM Viruses as Medicine: Panacea or Pandora's Box?
January 20, 2011
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Extracellular Matrix and Cardiovascular Remodeling
January 23-28, 2011
Tahoe City, United States

5th Annual Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine World Congress
January 24-25, 2011
San Diego, United States

BIO Asia International Partnering Conference
January 24-25, 2011
Tokyo, Japan

Phacilitate 7th Annual Cell & Gene Therapy Forum 2011
January 24-26, 2011
Washington, D.C., United States

Phacilitate 9th Annual North American Vaccine Forum
January 24-26, 2011
Washington, D.C., United States

IQPC’s 4th Biobanking Conference
January 24-26, 2011
Philadelphia, United States

Keystone Symposia: Stem Cells in Development, Tissue Homeostasis and Disease
January 30-February 4, 2011
Santa Fe, United States

NEW 16th Proteomics Symposium
February 3-6, 2011
Lorne, Australia

NEW 36th Lorne Conference on Protein Structure and Function
February 6-10, 2011
Lorne, Australia

CMC Workshop: Translating Science into Successful Regulatory Submissions
February 7-9, 2011
Washington, D.C., United States

23rd Lorne Cancer Conference
February 10-12, 2011
Lorne, Australia

NEW 32nd Lorne Genome Conference
February 13-15, 2011
Lorne, Victoria

BMT Tandem Meetings (ASBMT/CIBMTR)
February 17-21, 2011
Honolulu, Hawaii

NEW 1st Annual Clinical Meeting of the Cell Society
February 18-19, 2011
La Jolla, United States

Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference: Stem Cells – Revolutionizing Regenerative Medicine and Personalized Therapy 2011
February 23-25, 2011
San Francisco, United States

Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference: Inaugural Circulating Tumor Cells for Cancer Detection, Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment
February 23-25, 2011
San Francisco, United States

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Targeting PI3K/mTOR Signaling in Cancer
February 24-27, 2011
San Francisco, United States

9th Annual BioPartnering North America
February 27-March 1, 2011
Vancouver, Canada

18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2011)
February 27-March 2, 2011
Boston, United States

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Stem Cells, Development, and Cancer
March 3-6, 2011
Vancouver, Canada

Stem Cells, Cancer and Metastasis (C4)
March 6-11, 2011
Dillon, United States

BIO-Europe Spring 2011
March 14-16, 2011
Milan, Italy

The 6th International Conference on Oncolytic Viruses as Cancer Therapeutics
March 16-19, 2011
Las Vegas, United States

HIV Evolution, Genomics and Pathogenesis
March 20-25, 2011
Whistler, Canada

NEW United Kingdom National Stem Cell Network 2011 Annual Scientific Conference
March 30-April 1, 2011
York, United Kingdom

10th Annual New England Science Symposium
April 1, 2011
Boston, United States

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 102nd Annual Meeting 2011
April 2-6, 2011
Orlando, United States

5th RNAi & miRNA World Congress
April 26-27, 2011
Boston, United States

3rd Epigenetics World Congress
April 26-27, 2011
Boston, United States

Inaugural Next-Gen Sequencing Congress
April 26-27, 2011
Boston, United States

NEW GTCbio 2nd International Conference on Cancer Immunotherapy & Immunomonitoring
May 2-5, 2011
Budapest, Hungary

NEW Australasian Gene Therapy Society (AGTS) 7th Meeting
May 4-6, 2011
Melbourne, Australia

NEW BioPartnering India
May 4-6, 2011
Bangalore, India

NEW Inaugural Theranostics for Personalised Medicine
May 18-19, 2011
London, United Kingdom

NEW International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) 17th Annual Meeting
May 18-21, 2011
Rotterdam, The Netherlands

NEW American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 14th Annual Meeting
May 18-21, 2011
Seattle, United States

NEW 13th Annual C21 BioVentures
May 24-26, 2011
Napa, United States

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Viruses & Cells
May 29-June 3, 2011
Lucca (Barga), Italy

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

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