Neural Cell News 11.48 December 6, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYVulnerability Identified for Subtypes of Glioblastoma Researchers identified a strategy that pinpoints a genetically distinct subpopulation of patients with glioblastoma that is particularly sensitive to drugs like cilengitide that target a cell adhesion receptor known as integrin αvβ3. [Press release from the University of California, San Diego discussing online prepublication in Cancer Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Hypoxic Induction of Vasorin Regulates Notch1 Turnover to Maintain Glioma Stem-Like Cells Investigators showed that vasorin is a critical link between hypoxia and Notch signaling in glioma stem-like cells (GSCs). Vasorin was preferentially induced in GSCs by a HIF1α/STAT3 co-activator complex and stabilized Notch1 protein at the cell membrane. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract CRISPR-Cas9 Screen Reveals a MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma Dependency on EZH2 The authors deployed genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screening of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma and found a preferential dependency on genes encoding the polycomb repressive complex 2 components EZH2, EED, and SUZ12. Genetic and pharmacological suppression of EZH2 inhibited neuroblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Press Release The authors report that interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL-13Rα2) alone induces invasiveness of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells without affecting their proliferation. In contrast, in the presence of the mutant EGFR (EGFRvIII), IL-13Rα2 promotes GBM cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. [Nat Commun] Full Article Cellular Phenotypes in Human iPSC-Derived Neurons from a Genetic Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder A deletion or duplication in the 16p11.2 region is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Using fibroblasts obtained from 16pdel and 16pdup carriers, researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated them into neurons to identify causal cellular mechanisms underlying neurobiological phenotypes. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract Investigators evaluated the response of neuroblastoma cell lines to MEK-ERK pathway inhibition by trametinib. In contrast to RAS-MAPK pathway-mutated neuroblastoma cell lines, ALK-addicted neuroblastoma cells treated with trametinib showed increased activation (inferred by phosphorylation) of the kinases AKT and ERK5. [Sci Signal] Abstract Scientists devised efficient coculture systems utilizing 3D organoid-like spheres, termed asteroids, containing pre-differentiated human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived astrocytes combined with neurons generated from hPSC-derived neural stem cells or directly induced via neurogenin 2 overexpression. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Press Release Inhibition of Farnesyltransferase Potentiates NOTCH-Targeted Therapy against Glioblastoma Stem Cells Investigators found that farnesyltransferase inhibitors significantly improved sensitivity to γ-secretase inhibitors. This combination showed significant antineoplastic and radiosensitizing activities in glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells, whereas non-stem GBM cells were resistant. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSMicroglia in Alzheimer’s Disease Scientists mounting evidence that microglia protect against the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as impaired microglial activities and altered microglial responses to β-amyloid are associated with increased AD risk. On the other hand, there is also abundant evidence that activated microglia can be harmful to neurons. [J Cell Biol] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSCarmot Therapeutics announced that it has entered into a multi-year drug discovery collaboration and licensing agreement with Amgen. As part of the agreement, Carmot will apply its proprietary lead-identification technology, Chemotype Evolution, to discover and advance novel drug leads intended for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other selected disease areas. [Carmot Therapeutics] Press Release Takeda Announces Research Collaboration in ALS with Montreal Neurological Institute A research collaboration for much-needed new treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was announced by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) and the Montreal Neurological Institute. [Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited] Press Release Gene-Based Zika Vaccine Is Safe and Immunogenic in Healthy Adults Results from two Phase I clinical trials show an experimental Zika vaccine developed by government scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, is safe and induces an immune response in healthy adults. [National Institute of Health] Press Release The governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine invested more than $16.4 million to help researchers find answers to questions that could one day lead to new therapies. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release Innovative California Biosciences International, Inc. announced the submission of their Orphan Drug Designation application to the US FDA for the use of α-synuclein-SMART Molecule, a novel antibody mimic, in the treatment of Multiple System Atrophy. [Innovative California Biosciences International, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSHundreds of German Universities Set to Lose Access to Elsevier Journals Around 200 German universities will lose their subscriptions to Elsevier journals within weeks, because negotiations have failed to end a long-term contract dispute. [Nature News] Editorial Trump Science Job Nominees Missing Advanced Science Degrees When it comes to filling jobs dealing with complex science, environment, and health issues, the Trump administration is nominating people with fewer science academic credentials than their Obama predecessors. And it’s moving slower as well. [STAT News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW SYStem – Symposium for the Next Generation of Stem Cell Researchers Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Group Leader – Cancer Biology (University of Cambridge) NEW Group Leader Position(s) – Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience (Universite de Bordeaux) Postdoctoral Fellow – Brain 3D Coculture/Organoid Cultures (KU Leuven) Multiple Faculty Positions – Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (Tsinghua University) Bioengineer – Stem Cell Research (Scaled Biolabs Inc.) Postdoctoral Position – Brain Injury and Repair (University of Pennsylvania) Faculty Position – Neurobiology (NYU Shanghai) Chief Neuroscience Officer (Wyss Center for Bio and NeuroEngineering) Postdoctoral Fellow/Associate – Developmental Neurobiology (SUNY Upstate Medical College) Associate Professor – Neurology (Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School) Faculty Position – Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research (Indiana University) Faculty Members – Neuroscience (Mercer University) Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Differentiation (University of Oklahoma) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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Home Neural Cell News Volume 11.48 | Dec 6 2017