Cell Therapy News Volume 13.04 | Feb 6 2012

Human Cerebral Cortex Development from Pluripotent Stem Cells to Functional Excitatory Synapses
Researchers have developed a robust, multistep process for human cortical development from pluripotent stem cells: directed differentiation of human embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells to cortical stem and progenitor cells, followed by an extended period of cortical neurogenesis, neuronal terminal differentiation to acquire mature electrophysiological properties, and functional excitatory synaptic network formation. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Costimulated Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Are a Feasible and Safe Alternative Donor Cell Therapy for Relapse after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Researchers hypothesized that after allogeneic stem cell transplantation tumor-infiltrating donor lymphocytes could be costimulated ex vivo to preferentially activate/expand anti-tumor effectors. [Blood] Abstract

Direct Conversion of Mouse Fibroblasts to Self-Renewing, Tripotent Neural Precursor Cells
Researchers hypothesized that neural precursor cell (NPC)-like cells may be induced using the same principal approach used for generating “induced neuronal” cells. Toward this goal, the researchers infected mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from Sox2-EGFP mice with a set of 11 transcription factors highly expressed in NPCs. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Effective Treatment of Metastatic Forms of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma with a Novel Adenovirus-Based Adoptive Immunotherapy
Here researchers report the findings of a formal clinical assessment of AdE1-LMPpoly as an immunotherapeutic tool for Epstein-Barr virus-associated recurrent and metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. [Cancer Res]
Abstract | Press Release

Adenovirus-Mediated E2-EPF UCP Gene Transfer Prevents Autoamputation in a Mouse Model of Hindlimb Ischemia
Here, scientists investigated the effect of ubiquitin carrier protein (UCP) gene transfer on therapeutic angiogenesis. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Nonmyeloablative Conditioning Regimen to Increase Engraftment of Gene-Modified Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Young Rhesus Monkeys
These studies establish a clinically relevant pediatric primate model to assess the effects of conditioning regimens on the engraftment of transduced hematopoietic stem cells and the immune responses to cells expressing a foreign gene product. [Mol Ther] Abstract

HOXC4 Homeoprotein Efficiently Expands Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Triggers Similar Molecular Alterations as HOXB4
Researchers show that the HOXC4 homeoprotein expands human hematopoietic immature cells by three to six times ex vivo and significantly improves the level of in vivo engraftment. [Haematologica] Abstract

Novel Developmental Biology-Based Protocol of Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation to Morphologically Sound and Functional yet Immature Hepatocytes
Here, researchers aimed to achieve human embryonic stem cell differentiation into mature hepatocytes using defined recombinant differentiation factors and metabolites. [Liver Int] Abstract

Therapeutic Effects of Intra-Arterial Delivery of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells in Traumatic Brain Injury of Rats: In Vivo Cell Tracking Study by Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging
The objective of this study was to elucidate whether intra-arterial delivery of bone marrow stromal cells significantly promotes functional recovery in traumatic brain injury in rats. [Neurosurgery]
Abstract | Press Release

Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells onto a Partially Wounded Human Cornea In Vitro
The aim of this study was to investigate whether cells originating from human embryonic stem cells could be successfully transplanted onto a partially wounded human cornea. A second aim was to study the ability of the transplanted cells to differentiate into corneal epithelial-like cells. [Acta Ophthalmol] Abstract | Press Release

ThermoGenesis Provides Update on Res-Q^® Clinical Evaluations
ThermoGenesis Corp. provided updates on two clinical evaluations involving its Res-Q^® 60 BMC (Res-Q) system, a point-of-care platform designed for the preparation of cell concentrates from bone marrow. [Press release from ThermoGenesis Corp. discussing research presented at the Seventh International Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease, New York] Press Release

Medistem and ERCell Initiate Phase II RECOVER-ERC Heart Failure Trial
Medistem Inc. together with its Russian Licensee, ERCell LLC, announced successful dosing of three heart failure patients in the Non-Revascularizable Ischemic Cardiomyopathy treated with Retrograde Coronary Sinus Venous Delivery of Cell Therapy (RECOVER-ERC) trial. [Press release from Medistem Inc. discussing research presented at the Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease, New York] Press Release

Athersys Announces Positive Results of MultiStem® Clinical Trial for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Support and Prevention of Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Athersys, Inc. announced positive results from its Phase I clinical trial of MultiStem^®, its cell therapy product, administered to individuals undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants for the treatment of leukemia and related conditions. [Press release from Athersys, Inc. discussing research presented at the Annual American Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation Tandem Meeting, San Diego] Press Release

Positive Data Presented on Athersys’ MultiStem to Treat Stroke
Medical researchers presented new research results that highlight the role of the spleen in the mechanisms underlying how MultiStem^® reduces damage and enhances functional recovery in animals after an ischemic stroke. [Press release from Athersys, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Heart Association International Stroke Conference, New Orleans] Press Release

Mesoblast Receives FDA Clearance for Phase II Clinical Trial of Proprietary Stem Cell Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes
Mesoblast Limited announced that it has received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase II clinical trial of its proprietary adult stem cells for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

UGA Discovery Uses ‘Fracture Putty’ to Repair Broken Bone in Days
Studies conducted in part by University of Georgia (UGA) Regenerative Bioscience Center researchers show promise to significantly shorten the healing time and revolutionize the course of fracture treatment. [University of Georgia] Press Release

Minnesota Starts to Destroy Stored Blood Spots
Court ruling that the state must get consent to store samples from newborn screening could hinder biomedical research. [Minnesota Supreme Court, United States] Press Release

Stem-Cell Agency Faces Budget Dilemma
With half of the US$3 billion that it received from the state now spent and the rest expected to run out by 2021, CIRM is now actively planning for a future that may not include any further state support. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), United States] Press Release

Japan Plans to Merge Major Science Bodies
Plans approved by the government’s cabinet would consolidate the RIKEN network of basic-research laboratories with the National Institute for Materials Science, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention and the Japan Science and Technology Agency – the national funding body. [Japanese Government, Japan] Press Release

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Announces New Program for Pre-Clinical and Clinical Research Grants
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission has announced a new program for pre-clinical and clinical research grants. This program will support for-profit companies in advancing medical therapies using human stem cells. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund] Press Release

Athersys Awarded $3.6 Million in Grant Funding for Stem Cell Product Development
Athersys, Inc. announced grant funding aggregating $3.6 million to further advance its MultiStem^® product programs and cell therapy platform. [Athersys, Inc.] Press Release

UT Arlington Engineer Developing ‘Biomask’ to Aid Soldiers Recovering from Facial Burns
Engineers working with Army surgeons are developing a pliable, polymer mask embedded with electrical, mechanical and biological components that can speed healing from disfiguring facial burns and help rebuild the faces of injured soldiers. [University of Texas (UT) at Arlington] Press Release

BioRestorative Therapies Signs License Agreement for Stem Cell Disc/Spine Procedure
BioRestorative Therapies announced that it has entered into a License Agreement with Regenerative Sciences, LLC (RS) with respect to certain stem cell-related technology and clinical treatment procedures developed by RS. [BioRestorative Therapies, Inc.] Press Release

$30 Million Gift to Fast Forward Health Care Research, Education and Care at McMaster University
A Hamilton family is giving McMaster University $30 million to accelerate the university’s innovations in health research, education and care. Of the total, $24 million is designated to establish The Boris Family Centre in Human Stem Cell Therapies. [McMaster University] Press Release

Immunomedics, Inc. Awarded Broad Patent for Anti-CD20 and Anti-CD22 Combination Therapy
Immunomedics, Inc. announced the issuance of US patent 8,105,596, “Immunotherapy of B-cell malignancies using anti-CD22 antibodies.” [Immunomedics, Inc.] Press Release

Shire and Sangamo Collaborate to Develop Therapeutics for the Treatment of Hemophilia and Other Monogenic Diseases
Shire plc and Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced that they have entered into a collaboration and license agreement to develop therapeutics for hemophilia and other monogenic diseases based on Sangamo’s zinc finger DNA-binding protein technology. [Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.] Press Release

Notice of Funding Opportunity for Ancillary/Collaborative Studies for the NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium (NOT-HL-12-011)

National Cancer Institute; Notice of Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-2211)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-2322)

National Institute of General Medical Sciences Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-2655)

Roster of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee
As part of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) ongoing efforts to recruit qualified experts with minimal conflicts of interest who are interested in serving on FDA advisory committees, FDA is requesting nominations for members to serve on its advisory committees. Press Release

February 28-29, 2012: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting: Waivers for Conflicts of Interest

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Food and Drug Administration Transparency Initiative: Exploratory Program To Increase Access to the Agency’s Compliance and Enforcement Data; Availability (FR Doc No: 2012-2184)

NEW Drug Discovery World Asia
March 19-22, 2012
Singapore, Singapore

NEW Gordon Research Conference: DNA Damage, Mutation & Cancer
March 25-30, 2012
Ventura, United States

NEW European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) 2012
April 1-4, 2012
Geneva, Switzerland

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

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research Technologist, Manufacturing Sciences (STEMCELL Technologies)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)

Senior Development Associate (Genzyme Corporation)

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

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

Postdoctoral/Research Associate (Children’s Memorial Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Program in Children’s Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

Postdoctoral Fellow and Technician Positions (North Carolina Central University)


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