Cell Therapy News Volume 12.42 | Oct 24 2011

miR-34 miRNAs Provide a Barrier for Somatic Cell Reprogramming
Here, investigators demonstrate that miR-34 microRNAs (miRNAs), particularly miR-34a, exhibit p53-dependent induction during reprogramming. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract | Press Release

Functional Integration of Dopaminergic Neurons Directly Converted from Mouse Fibroblasts
Here researchers show that ectopic expression of defined transcription factors in mouse tail tip fibroblasts is sufficient to induce Pitx3⁺ neurons that closely resemble midbrain dopaminergic neurons. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract 

NKX2-5^eGFP/w hESCs for Isolation of Human Cardiac Progenitors and Cardiomyocytes
Researchers targeted eGFP sequences to the NKX2-5 locus of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs); NKX2-5^eGFP/w hESCs facilitate quantification of cardiac differentiation, purification of hESC-derived committed cardiac progenitor cells and cardiomyocytes and the standardization of differentiation protocols. [Nat Methods] Abstract | Press Release

Human Cardiac Progenitor Cell Grafts as Unrestricted Source of Super-Numerary Cardiac Cells in Healthy Murine Hearts
Human cardiac progenitors obtained from the auricles of patients were cultured as scaffoldless engineered tissues fabricated using temperature-responsive surfaces. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Transforming Growth Factor α Transforms Astrocytes to a Growth-Supportive Phenotype After Spinal Cord Injury
The present studies demonstrate that the epidermal growth factor receptor is upregulated primarily by astrocytes and glial progenitors early after spinal cord injury. [J Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

Rad51 Promoter-Targeted Gene Therapy Is Effective for In Vivo Visualization and Treatment of Cancer
Here researchers delivered Rad51 promoter-based constructs in vivo using linear polyethylenimine nanoparticles, in vivo jetPEI, to visualize and treat tumors in mice with HeLa xenografts. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Combined RNA Interference of Hexokinase II and 131I-Sodium Iodide Symporter Gene Therapy for Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
The purpose of this study was to investigate the enhanced therapeutic effect of the combined use of small hairpin RNA therapy for the hexokinase II gene and 131I human sodium iodide symporter as a gene therapy for in vitro and in vivo treatment of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells in an animal model. [J Nucl Med] Abstract

Percutaneous Adventitial Delivery of Allogeneic Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cells via Infarct Related Artery Improves Long-Term Ventricular Function in Acute Myocardial Infarction
In this study scientists investigate the effects of a well defined bone marrow derived allogeneic cell product delivered by catheter directly to the myocardium via the infarct related vessel on global and regional measures of left ventricular function in a porcine model of anterior wall myocardial infarction. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Comparison of Potentials of Stem Cells Isolated from Tendon and Bone Marrow for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering
This study compared the MSC and ESC markers, clonogenicity, proliferative capacity, and multi-lineage differentiation potential of rat tendon-derived stem cells and BMSCs in-vitro. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Enhanced Gene Delivery to the Neonatal Retina through Systemic Administration of Tyrosine-Mutated AAV9
Scientists investigated whether the retinal transduction efficiency of systemically delivered AAV9 could be improved by mutating capsid surface tyrosines, previously shown to increase the infectivity of several AAV vectors. [Gene Ther] Abstract

A Photocurable Hydrogel/Elastomer Composite Scaffold with Bi-Continuous Morphology for Cell Encapsulation
A photocurable two-phase scaffold with a bi-continuous morphology was designed and characterized for the repair of load bearing soft tissues. [Macromol Biosci] Abstract | Press Release

Geron Presents Clinical Data Update from GRNOPC1 Spinal Cord Injury Trial
Geron Corporation announced two presentations on the company’s ongoing Phase I clinical trial of its human embryonic stem cell-based therapy, GRNOPC1, in patients with spinal cord injury. [Press release from Geron Corporation discussing research presented at the Pre-Conference Symposia of the Joint 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and American Society of Neuro-Radiology Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

University of Navarra Hospital Presents Clinical Trials for Cell Therapy of Cirrhosis
The University of Navarra Hospital has launched a series of clinical trials for a cell therapy treatment of hepatic cirrhosis, a therapeutic approach to this liver disease and which, given its characteristics of application, is pioneering worldwide. [Health Canal] Press Release

European Research Heads Get a New Body
Fifty funding and research organizations from 23 countries joined in the founding assembly of Science Europe, an organization its members hope will give research funders a stronger voice in policy-making at the European Commission in Brussels and across the region. [Science Europe, European Union] Press Release

Vatican Bids for Italian Institute
A court will decide whether to leave the Milan-based San Raffaele Scientific Institute to its fate, or allow a consortium led by the Vatican Bank to rescue it. [San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy] Press Release

US Row Threatens Chinese Links
Backed by the Government Accountability Office Report, Frank Wolf has asked the US Department of Justice to rein in Holdren’s China-related activities; if the department refuses to do so, the matter could end up in the courts. [US Department of Justice, United States] Press Release

Super Science Suggestions: House Panel Lays Out Spending Preferences
The Republican leaders of the House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology have some suggestions on where to cut $1.5 billion from the fiscal year 2012 research budget—and they are drawing mixed reviews from science advocates. [House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology, United States] Press Release

Lobbyists Confront US Budget Crunch
On 21 September, a letter signed by more than 130 university presidents was sent to the joint select committee asking it to reach a “big agreement” so as to spare discretionary spending from drastic cuts. [Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, United States] Press Release

Building a 21st Century Bioeconomy
OSTP has issued a Request for Information to solicit input from all interested parties on how best to develop the National Bioeconomy Blueprint. [Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), United States] Press Release

Collaborative Partnership Pioneers Model to Improve Clinical Success of Cancer Immunotherapies
The Cancer Immunotherapy Consortium of the Cancer Research Institute and the Association for Cancer Immunotherapy have issued a joint white paper outlining a comprehensive roadmap that promises to help improve and facilitate the path forward in the development of novel immunotherapies for cancer. [Cancer Research Institute, United States] Press Release

Federal Government Releases Environmental, Health, & Safety Research Strategy for Nanotechnology
The Federal Government released a national strategy for ensuring that environmental, health, and safety research needs are fully identified and addressed in the fast-growing field of nanotechnology. [Federal Government, United States] Press Release

Servier and Miragen Sign $352 Million Partnership Agreement for the Research, Development and Commercialization of MicroRNA-targeting Drugs for Cardiovascular Disease
Les Laboratoires Servier and Miragen Therapeutics, Inc. announced an agreement for advancing the research, development and commercialization of three drug candidates, including two of miRagen’s lead programs (miR-208 and miR-15/195) and one additional target yet to be identified, for cardiovascular disease. [Miragen Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Otsuka Commits $ 25 Million to JV with LCT
Living Cell Technologies Limited (LCT) has agreed to establish a 50/50 joint venture company DIATRANZ OTSUKA LIMITED with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc. to accelerate the commercialization of LCT’s DIABECELL®, a ground breaking new cell implant therapy to treat diabetes. [Living Cell Technologies Limited] Press Release

RetroSense Licenses Gene Therapy for Restoring Vision from Wayne State University
RetroSense Therapeutics has taken up its option to acquire an exclusive global license to a gene-based approach to treating retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration, from researchers at Wayne State University School of Medicine. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News] Press Release

Arrowhead Research Corporation Acquires Roche RNA Assets and Site
Arrowhead Research Corporation announced that it has acquired RNA therapeutics assets from Roche including the state-of-the-art research site in Madison, WI. [Arrowhead Research Corporation] Press Release

Cellular Dynamics International’s Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Technology Named the Gold Winner in The Wall Street Journal 2011 Technology Innovation Awards
Cellular Dynamics International announced that it was named as the overall Gold winner in The Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards. [Cellular Dynamics International] Press Release

UT Southwestern Biochemist Receives New NIH Early Independence Award
Dr. Randal Halfmann, a research scientist at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, is one of 10 investigators selected for the first National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s Early Independence Awards. [University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center] Press Release

Roddenberry Foundation Gives $5 Million to Gladstone for Stem Cell Research
The Gladstone Institutes and the Roddenberry Foundation inaugurated the Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at Gladstone, a new unit founded on an unprecedented $5 million gift from the foundation that was established to honor the legacy of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. [The J. David Gladstone Institute] Press Release

Rutgers Establishes Stem Cell Repository for the Study of Mental Health Disorders
Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository has established a stem cell repository for the National Institute of Mental Health that will better enable researchers to study a variety of mental health disorders, including autism, attention deficit disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia, that affect millions of Americans. [Rutgers University] Press Release

Dendreon Begins Enrolment in Phase II Neu-ACT Trial for Second Active Cellular Immunotherapy Product Candidate, DN24-02
Dendreon Corporation announced that the company has begun enrolling patients into a Phase II trial for DN24-02, Dendreon’s investigational active cellular immunotherapy being evaluated for the treatment of HER2 positive cancer. [Dendreon Corporation] Press Release

Oxford BioMedica Announces US IND Approval for Novel Ocular Product in Usher Syndrome Type 1B
Oxford BioMedica plc announces that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the Phase I/IIa clinical development of UshStat®, a novel gene-based treatment for Usher syndrome type 1B. [Oxford BioMedical plc] Press Release

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics Receives Opinion on Re-Examination of Glybera® Marketing Authorization Application
Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics announced that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has maintained its earlier opinion that Glybera (alipogene tiparvovec) is not approvable at this time. [Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics] Press Release

FDA Approves Continuation of ALS Stem Cell Trial
Emory University researchers have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advance to the next phase of a landmark trial to treat patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) using human neural stem cells. [Emory University] Press Release

American SELICA III Trial to be Extended into Canada
On September 14th, 2011 the Canadian health authority Health Canada granted Cytonet approval to extend the SELICA III trial, which has been running in the USA since 2010, into Canada. [Cytonet LLC] Press Release

NIH Seeks Advice on Budget Crunch
The grim outlook for biomedical research funding is causing much angst at the $30.7 billion National Institutes of Health (NIH). In an unusually candid move, NIH described some of its tough choices in detail and reached out to the scientific community for advice about how to keep afloat the labs of the investigators it funds. Press Release

Center for Scientific Review Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2011-26941)

National Cancer Institute Program Project (P01) Applications (PAR-12-005)

National Institute of General Medical Sciences Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2011-27068)

Notice of Correction to Research Scope for NHGRI ENCODE Funding Opportunity Announcement RFA-HG-11-024: Expanding the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) in the Human and Model Organisms (U54) (NOT-HG-12-001)

Participation of NICHD in RFA-ES-11-010 (R21) and RFA-ES-11-011 (R01), Environmental Influences on Stem Cells in Development, Health, and Disease (NOT-HD-12-001)

Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Grantee Outcomes and Satisfaction (FR Doc No: 2011-27063)

Publication of the Revised NIH Grants Policy Statement (Rev. 10/1/2011): Policy Changes, Clarifications and Document Enhancements (NOT-OD-12-003)

November 16, 2011: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting: Waiver

November 17, 2011: Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement

November 17, 2011: Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee Meeting: Waiver

Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting [FR Doc No: 2011-27038]

Orphan Drug Regulations [FR Doc No: 2011-27037]

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Meeting Highlights from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) 17-20 October 2011

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Listing Notices
Added link to Therapeutic Goods (Listing) Notice 2011 (No.2) Press Release

European Union Guidelines Replaced or Superseded

NEW Days of Molecular Medicine 2011 – Re-Engineering Regenerative Medicine
November 10-12, 2011
Hong Kong

NEW 6th Annual Congress of the German Society for Stem Cell Research
November 20-22, 2011
Duesseldorf, Germany

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.

Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist (iPSC) (STEMCELL Technologies)

Contract Assay Service Technologist (STEMCELL Technologies)

Lab Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Quality Control Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Junior/Senior Research Fellowship in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Masaryk University)

Scientist II, Innovation – Cell Processing Technologies (Lonza Walkersville, Inc.)

Senior Manager, Innovation – Cell Processing Technologies (Lonza Walkersville, Inc.)

Lab Technologist Position (Michigan State University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Islet Cell Electrophysiology (Vanderbilt University)


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