ESC & iPSC News Volume 5.19 | May 19 2010

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    ESC & iPSC News 5.19, May 19, 2010.
    In this issue:  Science News |  Current Publications |  Industry News |  Policy News |  Events
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    TOP STORY

    Aiming to Cure Deafness, Scientists First to Create Functional Inner-Ear Cells
    Researchers report that they have found a way to develop mouse cells that look and act just like the animal’s inner-ear hair cells – the linchpin to our sense of hearing and balance – in a petri dish. [Press release from the Stanford University School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in Cell]

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    SCIENCE NEWS

    Low Oxygen Levels Prevent X Chromosome Inactivation in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
    Oxygen levels in the lab can permanently alter human embryonic stem cells, specifically inducing X chromosome inactivation in female cells. [Press release from the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research discussing online prepublication in Cell]

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    CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

    Mechanosensitive Hair Cell-like Cells from Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Researchers present a stepwise guidance protocol starting with mouse embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells, which were directed toward becoming ectoderm capable of responding to otic-inducing growth factors. [Cell]

    Derivation of Pre-X Inactivation Human Embryonic Stem Cells under Physiological Oxygen Concentrations
    These findings indicate that the human blastocyst contains pre-X-inactivation cells and that this state is preserved in vitro through culture under physiological oxygen. [Cell]

    Jarid2 Is a PRC2 Component in Embryonic Stem Cells Required for Multi-Lineage Differentiation and Recruitment of PRC1 and RNA Polymerase II to Developmental Regulators
    These data indicate that transcriptional priming of bivalent genes in pluripotent embryonic stem cells is Jarid2-dependent, and suggests that priming is critical for subsequent multi-lineage differentiation. [Nat Cell Biol]

    The Homeobox Gene Hhex Regulates the Earliest Stages of Definitive Hematopoiesis
    To investigate the role of Hhex in hematopoiesis researchers adapted a murine embryonic stem (ES) cell co-culture system, in which ES cells can differentiate into CD41+ and CD45+ hematopoietic progenitors in vitro. [Blood]

    Distinct Histone Modifications in Stem Cell Lines and Tissue Lineages from the Early Mouse Embryo
    Here, researchers compare the genome wide location of active and repressive histone modifications in embryonic stem cells, trophoblast stem cells, and extraembryonic endoderm stem cells from the mouse. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

    Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Profile of Tissue-Dependent and Differentially Methylated Regions (T-DMRs) Residing in Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells
    DNA methylation profile of T-DMRs contributes to the mechanism of pluripotency, and can be a feasible solution for identification and evaluation of the pluripotent cells. [Genes Cells]

    Systemic Transplantation of Embryonic Stem Cells Accelerates Brain Lesion Decrease and Angiogenesis
    These findings suggested that embryonic stem cell transplantation reduced the brain lesion through the acceleration of angiogenesis by endogenous endothelial cells. [Neuroreport]


    INDUSTRY NEWS

    The Pontifical Council for Culture and NeoStem Partner to Advance Adult Stem Cell Research
    NeoStem, Inc., an international biopharmaceutical company with operations in the US and China, and the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture, announced a joint initiative that includes their charitable organizations to expand research and raise awareness of adult stem cell therapies. [NeoStem, Inc. Press Release]

    Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine, Genzyme Enter into Strategic Partnership
    The strategic partnership between Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine and Genzyme will help quickly and successfully bring the company’s innovative drugs to China, promoting innovation and development of the Chinese biopharmaceutical industry. [PR Newswire Press Release]

    The New York Stem Cell Foundation Receives $27 Million Grant from Robertson Foundation to Promote Stem Cell Research
    The New York Stem Cell Foundation has received a grant of $27 million from the Robertson Foundation, established by Julian and Josie Robertson. [The New York Stem Cell Foundation Press Release]

    Beike Biotechnology Opens World’s Largest Stem Cell Storage and Processing Facility
    Beike Biotechnology Co. Ltd. and the Jiangsu government’s China Medical City opened China’s state-of-the-art stem cell storage and processing facility. [Beike Biotechnology Co. Ltd. Press Release]

    Geron Announces Positive Study Data on GRNCM1
    Geron Corporation reported positive preclinical study data showing that GRNCM1, Geron’s cardiomyocyte product derived from human embryonic stem cells, does not cause cardiac arrhythmias after transplantation into a model of chronic heart damage designed to test this potential safety concern.  [Geron Corporation Press Release]

    United States FDA Clears Phase 2 Trial for Cervical Spinal Fusion
    Australia’s regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast Limited, announced that it has received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin Phase 2 clinical trials of its “off-the-shelf” or allogeneic stem cell product NeoFuse™ for fusion of the cervical spine in the neck. [Mesoblast Limited Press Release]

    ImmunoCellular Therapeutics and Torrey Pines Institute Identify Peptides Which Show Potential To Generate Cancer Stem Cell Specific Immune Responses
    ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. announced that the Company and Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies in San Diego, CA have identified several peptides which can generate CD-133 specific T-cells. CD-133 is found in high abundance on cancer stem cells which makes it promising for immunological targeting. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. Press Release]

    Fate Therapeutics Expands Scientific Advisory Board to Advance Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology and Stem Cell Modulator Pipeline
    Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced the appointment of six respected research leaders to the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board. [Fate Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]

    Johns Hopkins to Unveil Center for Biotechnology Education
    The Johns Hopkins University’s Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Advanced Academic Programs, will unveil the Center for Biotechnology at its fifth annual biotechnology research symposium. [Johns Hopkins’ Center for Biotechnology Education Press Release]

    Kyoto University Opens iPS Cell Research Center
    A research laboratory for studying induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has been completed at Kyoto University Hospital, part of an effort to win the fierce global competition to put such cells to practical medical use. [The Daily Yomiuri Press Release]

    POLICY NEWS

    House Nixes More Research Spending in COMPETES Bill
    Catching the Democratic leadership by surprise, members voted 292 to 126 to block passage of a 5-year authorization bill that would have provided healthy increases in the research and education budgets of the National Science Foundation and research programs at the Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce. [House of Representatives, United States]

    United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius Announces $1 Billion in NIH Recovery Act Awards to Construct or Improve Biomedical Research Facilities
    U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced one billion dollars of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds have been awarded to construct, repair and renovate scientific research laboratories and related facilities across the country. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    European and International Experts Discuss the Way Forward in Stem-Cell Research and Development
    The European Medicines Agency assembled for the first time European and international experts from academia, regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical industry to review opportunities and difficulties in developing stem cell-based therapies and to discuss regulatory challenges. [European Medicines Agency, European Union]

    EU Agency Prepares to Assess First Stem Cell Drug
    The first regenerative medicine based on stem cells could be filed for approval in Europe later this year, bringing the groundbreaking medical technology a step closer to reality. [European Medicines Agency, European Union]

    Statement by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and NIH Director Francis Collins Regarding the President’s Intent to Appoint Dr. Harold Varmus as Director of the National Institute of Cancer at the National Institutes of Health [Department of Health and Human Services, United States]

    Notice of Intent to Publish Request for Applications for the Clinical Proteomic Technologies for Cancer Initiative (CPTC): Proteome Characterization Centers (NOT-CA-10-027) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    EVENTS

    16th Annual International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) Meeting
    May 23-26, 2010
    Philadelphia, United States

    Stem Cell Investor & Executive Networking Conference Event (S.C.I.E.N.C.E.)
    June 1, 2010
    New York, United States

    Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – European Union 2010
    June 13-17, 2010
    Galway, Ireland

    International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 8th Annual Meeting
    June 16-19, 2010
    San Francisco, United States

    United Kingdom National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) 3rd Annual Scientific Conference
    July 12-14, 2010
    Nottingham, United Kingdom

    CHI’s 5th Annual Immunotherapeutics and Vaccine Summit (ImVacS)
    August 17-19, 2010
    Cambridge, United States

    Select BioSciences 3rd Annual Stem Cells Europe Conference
    August 24-25, 2010
    Edinburgh, Scotland

    International Society for Cell Therapy (ISCT) – Europe 2nd Regional Meeting
    September 11-14, 2010
    Belgirate, Italy

    Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – Asia Pacific 2010
    September 15-17, 2010
    Sydney, Australia

    2010 World Stem Cell Summit
    October 4-6, 2010
    Detroit, United States

    5th World Congress on Preventive & Regenerative Medicine (WCRM) 2010
    October 5-7, 2010
    Hannover, Germany

    Stem Cell Network 10th Annual Scientific Meeting
    November 22-24, 2010
    Calgary, Canada

    Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – North America 2010 Annual Conference
    December 5-8, 2010
    Orlando, United States

    Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.

     

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