ESC & iPSC News Volume 5.24 | Jun 23 2010

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    ESC & iPSC News 5.24, June 23, 2010.
    In this issue: Science News  |  Current Publications  |  Industry News  |  Policy News  |  Events Subscribe  |  Unsubscribe


    TOP STORY

    Therapeutic Potential of Embryonic Stem Cells
    Researchers demonstrated slightly lower levels of Nodal and Cripto-1 (Nodal’s co-receptor) and a dramatic decrease in Lefty (Nodal’s inhibitory regulator) in human induced pluripotent stem cells compared with human embryonic stem cells, suggesting less regulatory control of cell fate in reprogrammed stem cells. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in the Journal of Cellular Physiology]

    TeSR2_645x110_v01

    SCIENCE NEWS

    Dental Pulp Cells for Stem Cell Banking
    Data demonstrates the promising potential of dental pulp cell collections as a source of cell banks for use in regenerative medicine. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in the Journal of Dental Research]

    Stem Cells Made Without New Genes
    Researchers have transformed human skin cells into stem cells similar to those in an embryo without using any reprogramming genes, just the viral vector normally used to deliver them. [Press release from NatureNews discussing research presented at the 8th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research]

    mTeSR 
    Derive iPSCs feeder-free* with mTeSR®1
    by STEMCELL Technologies
    		 
     
    *Sun et al., PNAS, September 2009.
    *Chan et al., Nature Biotechnology, October 2009.    		STEMCELL Technologies Inc
    		 

    CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

    Reporter-Based Isolation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell- and Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Progenitors Reveals Limited Gene Expression Variance
    Despite the line-to-line variability of gene expression in the undifferentiated state of embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, the variance narrows significantly in lineage-specific iPS-derived cardiac progenitors, and these progenitor cells can be isolated and used for transplantation without generation of unwanted cell types. [Circ Res]

    Cartilage Repair Using Hyaluronan Hydrogel-Encapsulated Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Chondrogenic Cells
    Researchers explored the potential of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived chondrogenic cells to produce an extracellular matrix-enriched cartilaginous tissue construct when cultured in hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel, and further investigated the long-term reparative ability of the resulting hESC-derived chondrogenic cell-engineered cartilage in an osteochondral defect model. [Biomaterials]

    A Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Bank for Inducible Overexpression of Human Chromosome 21 Genes
    To elucidate the extent to which the dosage imbalance of specific human chromosome 21 genes perturb distinct molecular pathways, researchers developed the first mouse embryonic stem cell bank of human chromosome 21 genes. [Genome Biol]

    Simvastatin Induces Osteogenic Differentiation of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells
    Researchers demonstrate that simvastatin induces murine embryonic stem cell differentiation towards the osteogenic lineage in the absence of osteoinductive supplements. [J Bone Miner Res]

    Butyrate Promotes iPS Cell Generation
    Researchers report that butyrate significantly increases the efficiency of mouse induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell generation using the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc. [J Biol Chem]

    Generation of Genome Integration-Free Pluripotent Stem Cells from the Fibroblasts of C57BL/6 Mice Without C-MYC Transduction
    Researchers report mouse strain-dependent differences in the c-Myc dependency for integration-free pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) generation and the successful generation of genome integration-free iPSCs without c-Myc transduction using C57BL/6 mouse embryonic fibroblasts. [J Biol Chem]

    Cancer Hallmarks in Induced Pluripotent Cells: New Insights
    A global comparative analysis of 365 microRNAs (miRs) in two human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) versus four human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines ultimately identified 10 highly expressed miRs in hiPSCs with greater than 10-fold difference, which have been shown to be cancer related. [J Cell Physiol]

    Dental Pulp Cells for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Banking
    Data demonstrates the promising potential of dental pulp cell collections as a source of induced pluripotent stem cell banks for use in regenerative medicine. [J Dent Res]

    Embryonic Stem Cell Related miRNAs are Involved in Differentiation of Pluripotent Cells Originating from the Germ Line
    Researchers studied how differences observed during in vitro differentiation between embryonic stem cells and multipotent adult germline stem cells are associated with differences at the level of microRNAs (miRNAs). [Mol Hum Reprod]

    Multiple Mesodermal Lineage Differentiation of Apodemus sylvaticus Embryonic Stem (ES) Cells In Vitro
    Researchers report the generation of multiple mesodermal AS-ES1 lineages via embryoid body (EB) formation by the hanging drop method and the addition of particular reagents and factors for induction at the stage of EB attachment. [BMC Cell Biol]

    INDUSTRY NEWS

    Valeant and Biovail Agree to Merge
    Valeant and Biovail announced that both companies’ Boards of Directors have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which the companies would combine to generate enhanced value for stockholders. The combined company will be called Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. [Biovail Corporation Press Release]

    Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and California’s State Stem Cell Agency Sign Declaration Of Cooperation to Advance Stem Cell Research Toward Cures
    Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and the Chair of the Governing Board of the California state stem cell agency, Robert Klein, signed a Declaration of Cooperation that aims to create a framework for joint funding between researchers in the two states and to accelerate the pace of development of cellular therapies to reach patients. [California Institute For Regenerative Medicine Press Release]

    Promega and Cellular Dynamics Partner to Validate Stem Cell-Based In Vitro Assays for Predicting Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity
    Cellular Dynamics International and Promega have entered into a research collaboration with the goal of bringing more relevant and highly predictive toxicity testing to the drug discovery process. [Cellular Dynamics International Press Release]

    Pluripotent Stem Cell Leader Shinya Yamanaka to Receive Inamori Foundation’s 26th Annual Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology
    The non-profit Inamori Foundation announced that Dr. Shinya Yamanaka will receive its 26th annual Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology, which for 2010 focuses on the fields of Biotechnology and Medical Technology. Dr. Yamanaka will receive the award for his pioneering work in developing a technology to generate pluripotent stem cells that does not require the use of human embryos. [Inamori Foundation Press Release]

    POLICY NEWS

    President of EFPIA Calls for a ‘New Dialogue’ on Medicines
    Andrew Witty, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline and President of European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), the body representing the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Europe, called for ‘a new dialogue’ between governments and the pharmaceutical industry in order to deliver patient access to better medicines and enhance Europe’s competitiveness as a base for R&D investment. [European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, European Union]

    New Videos Reveal How NIH Identifies the Most Promising Research Applications
    The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Center for Scientific Review released a new video to show new applicants and others how NIH assesses over 80,000 grant applications each year to help find those with the most merit. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    NIH and Wellcome Trust Announce Partnership to Support Genomic, Population-Based Studies in Africa
    The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Wellcome Trust announced a partnership with African researchers to conduct genetic and environmental studies in Africa of common, non-communicable disorders, such as heart disease and cancer, as well as communicable diseases, such as malaria. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    FDA Pushes Orphan Drug Research
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a list of 235 treatments that may have benefit in rare disorders and already have marketing clearance for other uses. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

    Publication of New Enforcement Strategy
    A new enforcement strategy has been published by the Inspection, Enforcement and Standards Division.
    [Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, United Kingdom]

    Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Public Meeting [Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, United States]

    Currently Approved CBER NDAs/ANDAs [Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, United States]

    Drugs Designated as Orphan Drugs [Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia]

    EVENTS

    Worldwide Innovative Networking (WIN) Symposium in Personalized Cancer Medicine
    July 7-9, 2010
    Paris, France

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


    2nd International Conference on Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (ICCMB2)
    August 2-4, 2010
    Singapore


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

    Select Biosciences Inaugural Cellular Therapy Summit
    August 24-25, 2010
    Edinburgh, Scotland


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


    Stem Cells USA & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2010
    September 13-15, 2010
    Philadelphia, United States

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

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


    Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium Leipzig 2010
    October 29-30, 2010
    Leipzig, Germany


    Select Biosciences 2nd International Forum on Stem Cells
    November 12-13, 2010
    Tianjin, China

    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


    Stem Cells World Congress
    January 24-25, 2011
    San Diego, 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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