Cell Therapy News Volume 8.34 | Sep 3 2007

When Is a Stem Cell Not Really a Stem Cell?
Working with embryonic mouse brains, a team of Johns Hopkins scientists seems to have discovered an almost-too-easy way to distinguish between “true” neural stem cells and similar, but less potent versions.
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Novocell Announces Discovery Linking Key Cancer Cell Signaling Pathways With Proliferation and Self-Renewal of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Novocell Inc. has announced research findings that for the first time identify two prominent cancer cell signaling pathways as essential for the efficient proliferation and self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells.
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Embryonic Stem Cells Are Identifiable By Appearance Alone
Whitehead postdoctoral researchers Alexander Meissner and Marius Wernig have now identified successfully reprogrammed cells by looks alone.
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University of Michigan Researchers Dispute Widely Held Ideas About Stem Cells
University of Michigan stem cell researchers have dealt a mortal blow to the immortal strand, at least as far as blood-forming stem cells are concerned.
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Scientists Discover Important Beauty Secret For Balanced Skin Color And Tone
The research study shows for the first time how to manipulate skin color and tone using cells previously thought to play no significant role in this function.
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Circulating Fats Kill Transplanted Pancreas Cells
Dietary restrictions or other strategies that limit fat formation might make pancreatic cell transplants more effective, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report.
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Stem Cells Fix Broken Hearts
Six people with severe heart disease have shown significant improvement after being treated with rare adult stem cells in what is said to be a world-first trial.
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Kiadis Pharma Announces Promising Phase II Clinical Trial Results for Reviroc
Reviroc is used to eliminate cancer cells from an autologous graft in bone marrow transplantations for end-stage blood cancer patients.
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Poway Company To Treat Dog Injuries Using Stem Cells
A company in Poway that spearheaded the use of stem cells to treat injuries in horses now plans to expand the experimental therapy to dogs.
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Thai Stem Cell Researchers Treat Diabetes
Thai medical researchers and physicians have achieved success in treating foot wounds of diabetes patients with their own stem cells,
Article

Stem Cells Used in Leishmaniasis Cases
Iranian scientists have successfully treated skin leishmaniasis scars by injecting unipotent stem cells for the first time in Asia and Europe.
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Vietnam to Use Stem Cells to Reconstruct Skin
More than 30 stem cell experts and doctors of Hanoi and HCM City have recently met in HCM City to discuss the use of stem cells to reconstruct the skin tissue of a patient in HCM City.
Article

ABSTRACTS, REVIEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS

Reducing Amyloid Plaque Burden via Ex Vivo Gene Delivery of an AB-Degrading Protease: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Alzheimer Disease
The results of this study support the use of AB-degrading proteases as a means to therapeutically lower AB levels and encourage further exploration of ex vivo gene delivery for the treatment of Alzheimer disease.
Abstract

Ballot Proposal To Modify Missouri Amendment Protecting Embryonic Stem Cell Research in State Flawed, Opponents Say
A proposed state ballot measure to restrict embryonic stem cell research is flawed because its definition of “human” would exclude people with common genetic abnormalities like Down syndrome.
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Illinois Governor Allows Stem Cell Funding
In an effort to woo researchers and investors to Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has signed a bill that allows public funding of research on all types of stem cells, including controversial embryonic stem cells.
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Medinet Licenses MaxCyte Cell Loading Technology for Cancer Immunotherapy in Japan
MaxCyte, Inc. and Medinet Co., Ltd.  have announced the signing of an exclusive license, development and supply agreement to use MaxCyte’s proprietary cell loading system to support clinical studies and commercialization of Medinet’s cancer immunotherapy service in Japan.
Article

Construction Begins on Dixon Biotech Research Lab
Construction on a new Genentech Inc. research laboratory in Dixon, about 10 miles from the company’s expanding Vacaville manufacturing campus, could start within three weeks.
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New CEO for Maastricht-based PharmaCell
The General Assembly of Shareholders of Maastricht based biotech company PharmaCell has named Maurice Horsten, Chief Executive Officer of the company. Former CEO René Lardenoije will remain on the Management Board acting as Chief Technology Officer.
Article

Cytori Therapeutics CEO Sells Shares
The chief executive of Cytori Therapeutics Inc. sold 50,000 shares of common stock, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
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NIH Peer Review Advisory Committee Gains Eight New Members
The Director of the National Institutes of Health, Elias Zerhouni, M.D., has appointed eight new members to the NIH Peer Review Advisory Committee.
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Notice of Intent to Publish a Request for Applications for the NIH Partners in Research Program (NOT-OD-07-089)
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Notice of revised submission dates for Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) applications (NOT-RM-07-013)
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Tools for Germplasm Cryopreservation (SBIR [R43/R44]) (RFA-RR-07-007)
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Tools for Germplasm Cryopreservation (STTR [R41/R42]) (RFA-RR-07-008)
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Human Cell & Tissue and Cellular & Tissue-based Products (HCT/P) Inspections Performed in Fiscal Years 1998 to 2006 – Update
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Exceptions and Alternative Procedures Approved Under 21 CFR 640.120 – Update
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FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States of America)

Draft Guidance for Industry: Evidence-Based Review System for the Scientific Evaluation of Health Claims; Availability; Correction
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Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Administrative Procedures for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1998 Categorization; Correction
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MEDICINES AND HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS REGULATORY AGENCY (United Kingdom)

Public consultation (MLX 341): Proposal for a Voluntary Accreditation Scheme for Phase I Clinical Trial Units in the UK
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7th Annual Somatic Cell Therapy Symposium
September 26-28, 2007
Hyatt Regency Bethesda, Maryland

Registration now open!  Click here to register.

ISCT Membership
Renew your ISCT Membership for 2007 now!
Not a member?  Visit the ISCT website to learn about the benefits of membership.
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