Cell Therapy News Volume 13.47 | Dec 3 2012

Large-Scale Screening Using Familial Dysautonomia Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Identifies Compounds that Rescue IKBKAP Expression
Data implicated alpha-2 adrenergic receptor activity in regulating IKBKAP expression and demonstrated that small-molecule discovery using an induced pluripotent stem cell-based disease model can identify candidate drugs for potential therapeutic intervention. [Nat Biotechnol] Abstract | Press Release

Simple Precision Creation of Digitally Specified, Spatially Heterogeneous, Engineered Tissue Architectures
Complex architectures of integrated circuits are achieved through multiple layer photolithography, which has empowered the semiconductor industry. Researchers adapted this philosophy for tissue engineering with a versatile, scalable, and generalizable microfabrication approach to create engineered tissue architectures composed of digitally specifiable building blocks, each with tuned structural, cellular, and compositional features. [Adv Mater] Abstract | Press Release

Conditionally Reprogrammed Cells Represent a Stem-Like State of Adult Epithelial Cells
When conditionally reprogrammed cells from ectocervical epithelium or tracheal epithelium are placed in an air-liquid interface culture system, the cervical cells form a well differentiated stratified squamous epithelium, whereas the tracheal cells form a ciliated airway epithelium. Researchers discussed the diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities afforded by a method that can generate adult stem-like cells in vitro without genetic manipulation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study of Autologous CD34+ Cell Therapy for Critical Limb Ischemia
Investigators evaluated the safety and efficacy of intramuscular injections of autologous CD34+ cells in subjects with moderate or high-risk critical limb ischemia, who were poor or noncandidates for surgical or percutaneous revascularization. [Circ Cardiovasc Interv] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing CXCR4 Improve Early Liver Regeneration of Small-for-Size Liver Grafts
Researchers investigated whether CXCR4-mesenchymal stem cell infusion protects hepatocytes and stimulates regeneration in 50% reduced-size liver transplantation. [Liver Transpl] Abstract

Expression of the Coxsackie Adenovirus Receptor in Neuroendocrine Lung Cancers and Its Implications for Oncolytic Adenoviral Infection
Scientists report that a high coxsackie adenovirus receptor (CAR) expression level in small cell lung cancer cell lines was found in vitro and in vivo when cell lines had been transplanted into immunodeficient mice. A correlation between CAR expression in the primary tumors and metastases development in the tumor model underlined the clinical relevance. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Injectable Polyethylene Glycol-Fibrinogen Hydrogel Adjuvant Improves Survival and Differentiation of Transplanted Mesoangioblasts in Acute and Chronic Skeletal-Muscle Degeneration
Researchers investigated the use of intra-muscular transplantation of mesoangioblasts (vessel-associated progenitor cells), delivered with an injectable hydrogel biomaterial directly into the tibialis anterior muscle of acutely injured or dystrophic mice. The hydrogel cell carrier, made from a polyethylene glycol-fibrinogen matrix, is polymerized in situ together with mesoangioblasts to form a resorbable cellularized implant. [Skelet Muscle] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Co-Injection of a Targeted, Reversibly Masked Endosomolytic Polymer Dramatically Improves the Efficacy of Cholesterol-Conjugated Small Interfering RNAs In Vivo
Effective in vivo delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been a major obstacle in the development of RNA interference therapeutics. One of the first attempts to overcome this obstacle utilized intravenous injection of cholesterol-conjugated siRNA (chol-siRNA). Investigators presented a new delivery approach that increases the efficacy of the chol-siRNA over 500-fold and allows over 90% reduction in target gene expression in mice and, for the first time, high levels of gene knockdown in non-human primates. [Nucleic Acid Ther]
Abstract | Press Release

Fate Therapeutics Initiates Phase II Clinical Study of ProHema for the Treatment of Hematologic Malignancies
Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced the initiation of a randomized, controlled, Phase II multi-center study of its investigational hematopoietic stem cell therapy, ProHema, in adult patients undergoing double umbilical cord blood transplantation for hematologic malignancy. [Fate Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

ACT Announces Completion of Higher-Dosage Cohort in Both U.S. Clinical Trials
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced treatment of three additional patients in the company’s two U.S. trials using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). All three patients were injected with 100,000 hESC-derived RPE cells and are recovering uneventfully. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

France’s Young Researchers Protest ‘Precarious’ Contracts
Early-career researchers across France staged protests against a new national employment law aimed at reducing the number of public employees working on short-term contracts. The researchers say the new law is emptying French labs of young workers and bringing promising research careers to a standstill. [French National Research Agency, France] Press Release

Failed Summit Spares Research Bad News … For Now
European researchers can perhaps be thankful for one thing about the European Union budget negotiations: The participants were unable to strike a deal. The latest proposals for the innovation budget, which includes research and education funding, cut as much as 15% from the €164 billion proposed last year by the European Commission, the E.U. executive branch. [European Commission, European Union] Press Release

Mexican Scientists Pin Hopes on Incoming President
Enrique Peña Nieto will have his hands full when he becomes Mexico’s next president. But in his first year, Mexico’s research community is hoping that he will also put the country’s scientific house in order. To do that, he will need to boost science funding and re-energize Mexico’s scientific culture. [Mexican President, Mexico]
Press Release

IntelliCell BioSciences Announces Research Agreement with the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials at Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey
IntelliCell BioSciences, Inc. announced that it has entered a sponsored research agreement with the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials at Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. Under terms of the agreement, the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials will be conducting a series of research projects that will further define the unique characteristics and properties of IntelliCell’s proprietary cellular population. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

American CryoStem Corporation and XeoStem LLC Complete Adipose Stem Cell Processing and Tissue Banking Agreement
American CryoStem Corporation (CRYO) announced that it has entered into an agreement with XeoStem LLC of Coral Gables, FL in which CRYO will provide its proprietary adipose tissue processing and storage services. The initial agreement allows XeoStem to market CRYO’s adipose tissue platform, stem cell processing services, patented products and banking technology for tissue grafting and “bio-insurance” purposes to their patients and groups of physicians. [American CryoStem Corporation] Press Release

Selecta Biosciences and Sanofi Sign Global Collaboration to Develop Antigen-Specific Immunotherapies for Up to Three Allergy Indications Based on Selecta’s Synthetic Vaccine Particle Technology
Selecta Biosciences, Inc. announced that it has entered into a strategic global collaboration with Sanofi to discover highly targeted, antigen-specific immunotherapies for life-threatening allergies. [Selecta Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

Tekmira Acquires Worldwide License to Novel RNAi Technology
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it has obtained a worldwide, non-exclusive license to a novel RNA interference (RNAi) payload technology called Unlocked Nucleobase Analog from Marina Biotech, Inc. for the development of RNAi therapeutics. [Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release

Alnylam Receives Notice of Allowance from United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for New Patents from the Tuschl II Patent Estate Broadly Covering RNAi Therapeutics
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the USPTO has issued Notices of Allowance for three patent applications from the company’s exclusively held Tuschl II patent estate. The USPTO has allowed claims in patent applications 12/537,602 , 12/683,081 and 12/838,786 which cover compositions, methods, and uses of small interfering RNA that are important for the development and commercialization of RNAi therapeutics. [Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

VistaGen Therapeutics Becomes Member of Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) Consortium
VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. has formalized its membership in the Toronto-based CCRM Industry Consortium. CCRM is a not-for-profit, public-private consortium funded by the Government of Canada, six Ontario-based institutional partners and more than 20 companies representing the key sectors of the regenerative medicine industry. [VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

American CryoStem Announces Adult Stem Cell and Adipose Tissue Collection Center
American CryoStem Corporation announced the launch of its newest adult stem cell and adipose tissue collection center in Bellevue, Washington. [American CryoStem Corporation] Press Release

American Association of Tissue Banks Appoints Frank S. Wilton as New CEO
The American Association of Tissue Banks has named Frank S. Wilton its new chief executive officer. [The American Association of Tissue Banks] Press Release

NIH Has No Plans to Bring Back Third Grant Submission
Quashing hopes raised by a recent news report, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it will not reverse a controversial policy that gives researchers only one chance to resubmit a rejected research grant proposal. Press Release

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-29089)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-29092)

Center For Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-28977)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Draft Guidance for Industry: Preclinical Assessment of Investigational Cellular and Gene Therapy Products; Availability (FR Doc No: 2012-28882)

Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Analyst (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Pathophysiology of Brain Tumors (UMR 6301 ISTCT)

Postdoctoral Positions in Cell Biology, Biophysics and Neurobiology (University of Missouri – Kansas City)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Quality Assurance Manager (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

Researcher (ESR8) – Regulatory T Cell Therapy (Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele)

Postdoctoral Position – iPSC Research (University of Washington)

Postdoctoral Position (Karolinska Institute, Department of Medicine, Huddinge)

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