TOP STORY | Team Finds Stable RNA Nano-Scaffold within Virus Core With the discovery of a RNA nano-scaffold that remains unusually stable in the body, researchers have overcome another barrier to the development of therapeutic RNA nanotechnology. [Press release from the University of Cincinnati discussing online prepublication in Nature Nanotechnology] Press Release | Abstract
| PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal) | An Alternative Splicing Switch Regulates Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency and Reprogramming Here, researchers identify an evolutionarily conserved embryonic stem cell-specific alternative splicing event that changes the DNA-binding preference of the forkhead family transcription factor FOXP1. [Cell] Abstract | Press Release
Multi-Input RNAi-Based Logic Circuit for Identification of Specific Cancer Cells Here, investigators show a scalable transcriptional/posttranscriptional synthetic regulatory circuit that senses expression levels of a customizable set of endogenous microRNAs and triggers a cellular response only if the expression levels match a predetermined profile of interest. [Science] Abstract | Press Release
BikDD Eliminates Breast Cancer Initiating Cells and Synergizes with Lapatinib for Breast Cancer Treatment Here, scientists show that BIKDD, a constitutively active mutant form of proapoptotic gene, BIK, effectively induces apoptosis of breast cancer cells and synergizes with lapatinib. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Press Release
The Determination of Stem Cell Fate by 3D Scaffold Structures through the Control of Cell Shape Results indicate that cells are more sensitive to scaffold structure than previously appreciated and suggest that scaffold efficacy can be optimized by tailoring the scaffold structure to force cells into morphologies that direct them to differentiate down the desired lineage. [Biomaterials] Abstract | Press Release
Zfp281 Functions as a Transcriptional Repressor for Pluripotency of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Researchers performed microarray profiling in combination with previously published datasets of Zfp281 global target gene occupancy, and found that Zfp281 mainly functions as a repressor to restrict expression of many stem cell pluripotency genes. [Stem Cells] Abstract Efficient In Vivo Delivery of siRNA Into Brain Capillary Endothelial Cells Along with Endogenous Lipoprotein Investigators examined gene silencing in brain capillary endothelial cells by using endogenous lipoprotein to introduce short-interfering RNA (siRNA) in vivo. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Press Release
AAV Serotype 2/1-Mediated Gene Delivery of Anti-Inflammatory Interleukin-10 Enhances Neurogenesis and Cognitive Function in APP+PS1 Mice Here, scientists show that adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 2/1 hybrid-mediated neuronal expression of the mouse IL-10 gene ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in amyloid precursor protein+ presenilin-1 (APP+PS1) bigenic mice. [Gene Ther] Abstract
Mitochondrial Gene Replacement in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitors Here, researchers describe a novel approach that uses recombinant human mitochondrial transcription factor A protein to transfect and express a pathogenic mitochondrial genome carrying the G11778A mutation associated with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy disease, into dideoxycytidine-treated human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors. [Gene Ther] Abstract Adult Spinal Cord Radial Glia Display a Unique Progenitor Phenotype Radial glia are primarily embryonic neuroglial progenitors that express Brain Lipid Binding Protein (Blbp a.k.a. Fabp7) and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (Gfap). Scientists used these transcripts to demarcate the distribution of spinal cord radial glia (SCRG) and screen for SCRG gene expression in the Allen Spinal Cord Atlas. [PLoS One] Abstract | Press Release
Gene Therapy for Leber Congenital Amaurosis Caused by RPE65 Mutations The objective of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of subretinal gene therapy in the RPE65 form of Leber congenital amaurosis using recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 carrying the RPE65 gene. [Arch Ophthalmol] Abstract | Press Release
Donor Myocardial Infarction Impairs the Therapeutic Potential of Bone Marrow Cells by an Interleukin-1–Mediated Inflammatory Response Using bone marrow cells (BMCs) from donor mice after myocardial infarction (MI), researchers discovered that recent MI impaired BMC therapeutic efficacy. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release
| POLICY | Senate Plan Gives NSF a Choice on Facilities VS. Research A Senate proposal that would reduce next year’s budget for the National Science Foundation (NSF) by $162 million includes unprecedented flexibility for the agency to decide how best to spend a portion of that shrinking pot of money. [U.S. Senate, United States] Press Release Republicans Seek to Prioritize Stem Cell Research Programs Republican Randy Forbes introduced legislation that seeks to focus federal stem cell research in areas that show “evidence of providing clinical benefit for human patients,” and promote research that does not involve the creation of or damage to human embryos. [Republicans, United States] Press Release U.K. Masks Cuts to Science By Redefining ‘Science Budget’ Despite promises by the U.K. government last year that its science budget would stay level between 2010 and 2015, a new analysis concludes that the government has masked cuts by redefining what is and isn’t included in its science budget. [U.K. Government, United Kingdom] Press Release U.K. Must Set Out Strategic Vision for Medical Research to Retain World-Class Competitive Edge Cancer Research UK launched a report urging the Government to set out a clear vision for research and innovation, demonstrating how the U.K. will provide a stable environment for medical research to enable life sciences to be a key driver of economic growth. [Cancer Research UK, United Kingdom] Press Release French Bioethics Law Addresses Embryonic Research France passed a law on bioethics on July 7 called Loi du 7 juillet 2011. The law, which addresses several major areas of bioethics, above all confronts the question of what legal framework applies to research on human embryos and embryonic stem cells. [French Government, France] Press Release Netherlands Pushes for Innovation The Netherlands wants to become one of the world’s top five knowledge economies by 2020, according to a plan presented to Dutch parliament. The strategy, which focuses heavily on boosting private investment in research and innovation, has some Dutch scientists worried that fundamental research will lose out. [Dutch Parliament, Netherlands] Press Release South Korea Sets Sights on Becoming Stem Cell Powerhouse, Again South Korea’s president vowed on a series of regulatory reforms to help regain its place as a stem cell research powerhouse, trying to reclaim momentum five years after a cloning scandal. [South Korea’s President, South Korea] Press Release Indian Scientists Blast Proposal to Improve Animal Welfare Indian scientists are calling for a major rewrite of a proposed animal welfare law that they say could undermine research involving animals. [Indian National Science Academy, India] Press Release | BUSINESS | Warren Alpert Foundation Prize Honors Bioengineering Luminaries The 2011 Warren Alpert Foundation Prize will be awarded to bioengineering pioneers Alain F. Carpentier and Robert S. Langer in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to medicine. [Harvard Medical, Dental and Public Health Schools] Press Release Genetics Policy Institute Announces 2011 “Stem Cell Action” Award Winners and Honorees The Genetics Policy Institute will honor individuals and organizations that have positively impacted the advancement of stem cell research at the 7th Annual Stem Cell Action Awards Dinner on October 4, 2011. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News] Press Release
Silence Therapeutics and InteRNA Technologies Sign Collaboration to Develop Novel MicroRNA Therapeutics Silence Therapeutics plc and InteRNA Technologies B.V. announce that they have entered into an agreement to develop novel microRNA therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. [Silence Therapeutics plc] Press Release
The Centre for Drug Research and Development and the National Research Council Canada to Collaborate on New Cancer Therapeutics The Centre for Drug Research and Development and the National Research Council Canada Biotechnology Research Institute announced that they have entered into a Preferred Collaboration Agreement to develop new antibody-based cancer therapeutics. [Centre for Drug Research and Development] Press Release
Aduro BioTech, Inc. Announces Three Grants Aduro BioTech, Inc. announced the award of three grants that demonstrate the breadth of applications for the company’s proprietary vaccine platform based on Listeria monocytogenes. [BusinessWire] Press Release
Cellerant Therapeutics Awarded Additional $16.7 Million Under Existing US Government Contract to Fund Development of CLT-008 for Acute Radiation Syndrome Cellerant Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has been awarded additional funding valued at $16.7 million by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response of the Department of Health and Human Services, for the advanced development of CLT-008. [MarketWatch] Press Release
University of Pittsburgh Receives $3.54 Million Grant The Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh has received a $3.54 million grant from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation. [University of Pittsburgh] Press Release
First Patient in Next Dose Cohort Successfully Treated with ReN001 Stem Cell Therapy ReNeuron provides an update on progress with the PISCES Phase I clinical trial of its ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. [ReNeuron Plc] Press Release Thrasos Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial for THR-184 in Acute Kidney Injury Thrasos Innovation, Inc. announced that it has initiated a Phase I clinical trial to study the safety and tolerability of THR-184, which the Company is developing for the treatment of Acute Kidney Injury post-surgery. [Thrasos Innovation, Inc.] Press Release
Human Gene Therapy Expands with Robust New Methods Journal Dedicated to Technological Advances in Gene Therapy Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. announces the launch of a journal expansion, Human Gene Therapy Methods, to complement the flagship publication Human Gene Therapy. [Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.] Press Release | |
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