Cell Therapy News Volume 12.47 | Nov 28 2011

Excitation-Induced Ataxin-3 Aggregation in Neurons from Patients with Machado–Joseph Disease
Researchers show that l-glutamate-induced excitation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons initiates Ca²⁺-dependent proteolysis of ataxin 3 followed by the formation of SDS-insoluble aggregates. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

Mouse B-Type Lamins Are Required for Proper Organogenesis but Not by Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators found that mouse embryonic stem cells do not need any lamins for self-renewal and pluripotency. [Science] Abstract | Press Release

Transplanted Hypothalamic Neurons Restore Leptin Signaling and Ameliorate Obesity in db/db Mice
Scientists generated physically chimeric hypothalami by microtransplanting small numbers of embryonic enhanced green fluorescent protein–expressing, leptin-responsive hypothalamic cells into hypothalami of postnatal leptin receptor–deficient (db/db) mice that develop morbid obesity. [Science] Abstract | Press Release

Using iPSC-Derived Neurons to Uncover Cellular Phenotypes Associated with Timothy Syndrome
Researchers generated cortical neuronal precursor cells and neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from individuals with Timothy syndrome. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

In Vivo Sustained Release of siRNA from Solid Lipid Nanoparticles
Investigators demonstrate that solid lipid nanoparticles can incorporate and provide sustained release of small interfering RNA (siRNA). [ACS Nano] Abstract | Press Release

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neurons Adopt and Regulate the Activity of an Established Neural Network
Here, scientists demonstrate that hESC-derived neurons receive unitary postsynaptic currents both in vitro and in vivo and adopt the rhythmic firing behavior of mouse cortical networks via synaptic integration. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Direct Reprogramming of Human Fibroblasts into Dopaminergic Neuron-Like Cells
Researchers show that a combination of five transcriptional factors Mash1, Ngn2, Sox2, Nurr1, and Pitx3 can directly and effectively reprogram human fibroblasts into dopaminergic neuron-like cells. [Cell Res] Abstract

Tuberin and PRAS40 Are Anti-Apoptotic Gatekeepers During Early Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell Differentiation
Investigators report that siRNA-mediated knockdown of the endogenous tuberous sclerosis complex-2 gene product tuberin or of proline-rich Akt substrate of 40 kDa leads to massive apoptotic cell death during embryoid bodies development of human amniotic fluid stem cells without affecting the endodermal, mesodermal and ectodermal cell differentiation spectrum. [Hum Mol Genet]
Abstract | Press Release

Micromet Initiates Global Phase II Trial of Blinatumomab in Adult Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Micromet, Inc. announced that it has initiated a phase II trial of its lead product candidate blinatumomab in adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [Micromet, Inc.] Press Release

Update on Stroke Clinical Trial
ReNeuron provides an update on progress with the PISCES (Pilot Investigation of Stem Cells in Stroke) clinical trial of its ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. [ReNeuron Group plc]
Press Release

Budget Cuts Threaten Denmark’s Science Assessment Body
The Parliament is expected to pass a bill to begin the process of eliminating the Danish Board of Technology as part of a 3% cut in the country’s 2012 research budget. [Danish Parliament, Denmark] Press Release

First EU Chief Scientific Adviser Named
Europe’s first chief scientific adviser (CSA) is to be Anne Glover. Glover is a molecular and cell biologist and is Scotland’s CSA at present. [European Commission, European Union (EU)] Press Release

Centenary Campaign Helps to Raise a Record-Breaking £11 Million
Over 7,000 donors gave money to Bristol University as part of its Centenary Campaign to help raise £11million for a variety of initiatives, from providing bursaries to establishing life-saving clinical trials. [University of Bristol] Press Release

Study to Look at Nerve Cells in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers at the University of Bristol have been awarded a grant that, by using state-of-the-art stem cell technology, will enable them to analyze nerve cells produced from skin biopsies of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. [University of Bristol] Press Release

Second U.S. Patent Awarded to Stem Cell Idea of Kyoto University’s Yamanaka
The United States has awarded a patent for Kyoto University professor Shinya Yamanaka’s technology for creating induced pluripotent stem cells, the second of its kind since the first patent for the technique was granted in August. [Mainichi Daily] Press Release

MSRCNY Receives Approval for Groundbreaking Stem Cell Trial in Multiple Sclerosis
The Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York (MSRCNY) and the International Cellular Medicine Society (ICMS) jointly announced the ICMS Institutional Review Board’s approval of the first study to use autologous brain-like or neural stem cells for multiple sclerosis. [Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York] Press Release

Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the NHLBI Centers for Accelerated Innovations (NOT-HL-11-157)

Request for Information: Suggested Research Topics for Future Initiatives for the Research on Research Integrity Program (NOT-ES-12-004)

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Information Program on the Genetic Testing Registry (FR Doc No: 2011-30286)

Agency Information Collection Activities; Announcement of Office of Management and Budget Approval; Adverse Experience Reporting for Licensed Biological Products; and General Records [FR Doc No: 2011-30326]

Request for Nominations for Voting Members on Public Advisory Committee, Science Board to the Food and Drug Administration [FR Doc No: 2011-30415]

Science Board to the Food and Drug Administration; Notice of Meeting [FR Doc No: 2011-30416]

NEW Miami 2012 Winter Symposium: Nanotechnology in Biomedicine
February 26-29, 2012
Miami, United States

NEW Euroscicon: 5th Annual Cell Culture Technology: Recent Advances, Future Prospects
March 9, 2012
London, United Kingdom

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)

Lab Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)

Transplant Research Specialist (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Postdoctoral Position – Center for Human Genetics (VIB Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Positions, Extracellular Matrix Research (University of Oulu)

PhD Student Positions, Extracellular Matrix Research (University of Oulu)

Postgraduate Students (Masaryk University)

Senior Development Associate (Genzyme Corporation)

Research Associate – Cell Culture (Stemgent, Inc.)

Scientist – Differentiation Segment (Stemgent, Inc.)

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

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


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