Neural Cell News Volume 4.02 | Jan 20 2010

TOP STORY

Stem Cells Become Functioning Neurons in Mice
Transplanted neurons grown from embryonic stem cells were able to form proper brain connections in newborn mice, according to researchers. [Stanford Medical School, Stanford]

SCIENCE NEWS

Discovery of a New Molecular Mechanism that Guides Visual Nerves Towards the Brain
Using genetic evidence and in utero manipulations in mice, researchers were able to demonstrate that the Sonic Hedgehog molecular pathway is required for the guidance of retinal axons within the optic chiasm. [Institut de recherches cliniques de Montreal, Montreal]

‘Noisiest’ Neurons Persist in the Adult Brain, Research Finds
The observation that the “noisiest” neurons have a survival advantage helps explain the prevalence of epilepsy, in which some neurons become hyperactive and fire in an uncontrollable fashion. [Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge]

New Stroke Therapy Successful in Rats
People with impaired mobility after a stroke soon may have a therapy that restores limb function long after the injury, if a supplemental protein works as well in humans as it does in paralyzed rats. [University of California, Irvine]

Cancer Stem Cells Suppress Immune Response Against Brain Tumor
The researchers demonstrate that cancer-initiating cells that launch glioblastoma multiforme, stifles the immune response in a variety of ways, but that the effect can be greatly diminished by encouraging the stem cells to differentiate into other types of brain cell. [University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston]

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

Subventricular Zone-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells Migrate Along a Blood Vessel Scaffold Toward the Post-Stroke Striatum
Findings suggest that blood vessels play an important role as a scaffold for neural progenitor cells migration toward the damaged brain region. [Stem Cells]

Regulation of Neural Crest Cell Fate by the Retinoic Acid and Pparg Signalling Pathways
As in other vertebrates, zebrafish osteoblasts and adipocytes were shown to originate in part from cephalic neural crest precursors. [Development]

A Protein Interaction Network for the Analysis of the Neuronal Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells in Response to Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) lead to a differentiational tendency towards neurons from neural stem cells, suggesting TiO2 NPs might be a beneficial inducer for neuronal differentiation. [Biomaterials]

Human Neural Stem Cell Grafts Modify Microglial Response and Enhance Axonal Sprouting in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury
The efficacy of human neural stem cells derived from human embryonic stem cells in a rat model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic and the mechanisms enhancing brain repair  were investigated. [Stroke]

Human Cytomegalovirus Infection Causes Premature and Abnormal Differentiation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells
Research suggests that human cytomegalovirus infection causes in utero central nervous system defects by inducing both premature and abnormal differentiation of neural progenitor cells. [J Virol]

Dual-Specificity Histone Demethylase KIAA1718 (KDM7A) Regulates Neural Differentiation Through FGF4
KIAA1718 was identified as a novel histone demethylase specific for the two repressing marks of dimethylated histone H3 lysine 9 and lysine 27. [Cell Res]

Neural Crest Regionalisation for Enteric Nervous System Formation: Implications for Hirschsprung’s Disease and Stem Cell Therapy
Researchers mathematically modelled a proliferative difference between neural crest populations, with a plexus preference hierarchy, in the context of intestinal growth. [Dev Biol]

Differentiation Factors that Influence Neuronal Markers Expression In Vitro from Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells
The differentiation of neural cells in vitro from amniotic epithelial cells (AEC) following AECs treatment with retinoic acid, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as well as investigation of bFGF withdrawal on neuronal differentiation was examined. [Eur Cell Mater]

Cyclic GMP Modulates Stem Cells Differentiation to Neurons in Brain In Vivo
The aim of this work was to assess the role of cyclic GMP in the modulation of differentiation of neural stem cells to neurons or non-neuronal cells. [Neuroscience]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. Announces Second Positive Review by Data Safety and Monitoring Board for the Modified REGENESIS Phase IIb Stroke Trial and Provides Corporate Update
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. announced it has been advised by the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) that its second regularly scheduled safety analysis has been completed and the DSMB has recommended for the Phase IIb acute ischemic stroke trial to continue as per protocol. [Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. Press Release]

University of Cincinnati Doctor Wins Fellowship
Dr. Andrew Grande, a fellow in cerebrovasncular/endovascular neurosurgery in the University of Cincinnati Department of Neurosurgery, has earned the 2010 William P. Van Wagenen Fellowship. [University of Cincinnati Press Release]

National Academy of Sciences Honors 17 for Major Contributions to Science
The National Academy of Sciences will honor 17 individuals with awards in recognition of extraordinary scientific achievements in the areas of biology, chemistry, geology, astronomy, and psychology. [National Academy of Sciences Press Release]

Hard to Treat Diseases Inc. Stem Cell Developments
Hard to Treat Diseases and its operating subsidiary Slavica BioChem discusses their delayed merger with a European based, stem-cell research company. [Hard to Treat Diseases Press Release]

Fort McPherson’s Biotech Makeover Moves Forward
A proposed 170-acre research park, expected to be the engine of a redeveloped Fort McPherson, could generate up to 7,000 jobs and lure Big Pharma to southwest Atlanta. [Atlanta Business Chronicle]

Biotech Stock Alert for NeoStem Inc. Issued by Beacon Equity
BeaconEquity.com announces an investment report featuring biopharmaceutical company NeoStem Inc. [CNN Money]

POLICY NEWS

Governor O’Malley Names Dr. Judith Britz Executive Director of the Maryland Biotechnology Center
Governor Martin O’Malley named Dr. Judith A. Britz, a scientist, academician and entrepreneur with more than 25 years in Maryland’s bioscience industry, as Executive Director of the Maryland Biotechnology Center. [Maryland Biotechnology Center, United States]

Neurotechnology Research, Development, and Enhancement [SBIR (R43/R44)] [Small Business Innovation Research, United States]

Neurotechnology Research, Development, and Enhancement [STTR (R41/R42)] [Small Business Technology Transfer, United States]

Advanced Neural Prosthetics Research and Development [SBIR (U44)] [Small Business Innovation Research, United States]

EVENTS

CHI’s Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference 2010
February 3-5, 2010
San Francisco, United States

Keystone Symposia: Stem Cell Differentiation and Dedifferentiation (B4)
February 15-20, 2010
Keystone, United States

17th Annual Conference of the American Society for Neural Therapy & Repair
April 29-May 1, 2010
Clearwater Beach, United States

2010 Canadian Neuroscience Meeting
May 15-18, 2010
Ottawa, Canada

ISSCR 8th Annual Meeting
June 16-19, 2010
San Francisco, United States

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Business Development Europe – Cell Therapy Products (PALL Corporation)

Research & Development Scientist – Pancreatic Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research & Development Scientist – Endothelial Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research & Development Scientist – Epithelial Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies)

Data Entry Assistant – Marketing (STEMCELL Technologies)

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