Neural Cell News Volume 10.25 | Jun 29 2016

TOP STORY

Human Brain Houses Diverse Populations of Neurons, New Research Shows

Researchers have developed the first scalable method to identify different subtypes of neurons in the human brain. The research lays the groundwork for “mapping” the gene activity in the human brain and could help provide a better understanding of brain functions and disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia and depression. [Press release from University of California, San Diego discussing online prepublication in Science] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Microglia Development Follows a Stepwise Program to Regulate Brain Homeostasis

Genome-wide chromatin and expression profiling coupled with single-cell transcriptomic analysis throughout development reveal that microglia undergo three temporal developmental stages in synchrony with the brain: early, pre-, and adult microglia, which are under distinct regulatory circuits. [Science] Abstract | Press Release

The Inhibition of TDP-43 Mitochondrial Localization Blocks its Neuronal Toxicity

Investigators have found that TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) accumulates in the mitochondria of neurons in subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or frontotemporal dementia. Disease-associated mutations increase TDP-43 mitochondrial localization. [Nat Med] Abstract

Purkinje Cell Collaterals Enable Output Signals from the Cerebellar Cortex to Feed Back to Purkinje Cells and Interneurons

The authors found that all Purkinje cells (PCs) have collaterals in young, juvenile, and adult mice. Collaterals are restricted to the parasagittal plane, and most synapses are located in close proximity to PCs. [Neuron] Abstract

Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), Enriched in Ventral Hippocampus Neurons, Is Required for Consolidation of Social but not Non-Social Memories in Mice

Researchers determined whether PDE11A is expressed in neurons where it could directly influence synaptic plasticity and if expression is required for the consolidation and/or retrieval of social memories. In CA1, and possibly CA2, PDE11A4 is expressed throughout neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and axons, but not astrocytes. [Neuropsychopharmacology] Abstract | Full Article

Neural Patterning of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in 3-D Cultures for Studying Biomolecule-Directed Differential Cellular Responses

By tuning neural patterning of human induced pluripotent stem cells with small molecules targeting sonic hedgehog signaling, the authors generated different 3-D neuronal cultures that were mainly comprised of either cortical glutamatergic neurons or motor neurons. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Precision Modulation of Neurodegenerative Disease-Related Gene Expression in Human iPSC-Derived Neurons

Scientists demonstrated that CRISPRa and CRISPRi can be used to exert precise modulations of endogenous gene expression in fate-committed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Differential Responses of Trans-Resveratrol on Proliferation of Neural Progenitor Cells and Aged Rat Hippocampal Neurogenesis

To gather insight into the biological effects of resveratrol on neurogenesis, the authors evaluated the possible effects of the compound on the proliferation and survival of neural progenitor cells in culture, and in the hippocampus of aged rats. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Ghrelin Regulates Cell Cycle-Related Gene Expression in Cultured Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells

Scientists investigated the potential effects of ghrelin on cell cycle regulatory molecules in cultured hippocampal neural stem cells. Ghrelin treatment increased proliferation assessed by CCK-8 proliferation assay. [J Endocrinol] Abstract

The Effect of Chemically-Modified Electrospun Silica Nanofiber on the mRNA and miRNA Expression Profile of Neural Stem Cell Differentiation

This study identified the changes in mRNA and miRNA expression profile during neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation on an artificial matrix. NSCs were grown on a surface-modified, electrospun tetraethyl-orthosilicate nanofiber by providing a 3D-environment for cell growth and differentiation. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Electrical Property Characterization of Neural Stem Cells in Differentiation

A microfluidic platform enabling the high-throughput quantification of specific membrane capacitance and σcytoplasm from hundreds of single neural stem cells undergoing differentiation was developed to explore the feasibility to characterize the neural stem cell differentiation process without biochemical staining. [PLoS One] Full Article

Epigenetic Mechanisms in Neurogenesis

The authors review recent advances in the understanding of epigenetic regulation in neurogenesis and its dysregulation in brain disorders, including discussion of newly identified DNA cytosine modifications. [Nat Rev Neurosci] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field.

Wilson Therapeutics Presents Preliminary Clinical Data on Decuprate^®

Wilson Therapeutics AB announced that preliminary data from the company’s ongoing Phase II clinical trial for Decuprate^® in Wilson Disease will be presented. [Press release from Wilson Therapeutics AB discussing research presented at the 20^th International Congress of Parkinson´s Disease and Movement Disorders, Berlin] Press Release

Montefiore and Burke to Establish Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease

In an ongoing commitment to delivering quality, compassionate care to those experiencing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Montefiore and Burke Rehabilitation’s Memory Evaluation and Treatment Services has been designated as the exclusive Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease serving the seven county region of the Hudson Valley. [Montefiore Medical Center] Press Release

Researcher Awarded $2.8 Million to Study Use of Nanotechnology in Cancer Treatment

Julia Ljubimova, MD, PhD, director of the Nanomedicine Research Center in the Cedars-Sinai Department of Neurosurgery, has received a $2.8 million federal grant to advance her research of tumor nanoimmunology to treat cancers of the brain, breast, lung and other organs. [Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (EurekAlert!)] Press Release

Researchers Deplore U.K. Decision to Leave the European Union

U.K. researchers and their organizations have reacted with dismay to the decision by the U.K. electorate to leave the European Union. Science and technology were not a major talking point during the referendum campaign, but numerous scientists and research organizations urged voters to preserve the United Kingdom’s E.U. membership. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Stem Cell Society Singapore (SCSS) Symposium 2016
November 7-8, 2016
Singapore, Singapore

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the neuroscience research community.

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cell Biology and Neuroscience (Rutgers University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neural Stem Cell/Gene Therapy Research (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Researcher Positions – Epigenetic and Transcriptional States of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Position – Brain Injury and Repair (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate – Brain Homeostasis and Aging (North Carolina State University)

Scientist – Neuroscience (The Allen Institute for Brain Science)

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Pharmacology (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cell Biology (Boston University)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience (Inserm-ENS)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Signaling within Neural Stem Cell Niches In Vitro and In Vivo (Francis Crick Institute)

PhD Student Positions – Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology/Neurosciences/Neurogenetics (University of Fribourg)

Postdoctoral Associate – Neuroscience (Yale University)

Faculty Positions – Brain Research (IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Peking University)

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