TOP STORY Process Leading to Protein Diversity in Cells Important for Proper Neuron Firing Researchers have documented a novel form of splicing in the cytoplasm of a nerve cell, which dictates a special form of a potassium channel protein in the outer membrane. The channel protein is found in the dendrites of hippocampus cells — the seat of memory, learning, and spatial navigation — and is involved in coordinating the electrical firing of nerve cells. [Press release from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]
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SCIENCE NEWS
Modulating a Protein in the Brain Could Help Control Alzheimer’s Disease A protein known to exist in the brain for more than 30 years, called 5-lipoxygenase, has been found to play a regulatory role in the formation of the amyloid beta in the brain, the major component of plaques implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, according to researchers. [Press release from ScienceDaily discussing online prepublication in Annals of Neurology] Innovative Neural Probe Senses and Stimulates Individual Brain Cells Imec, together with its partners within the European FP6 Program NeuroProbes, has created a new neural probe enabling electrical and chemical recording and stimulation of single neurons in the brain. Applications of the new technology are vast, ranging from tools for fundamental research on the functioning of the brain, to instruments for more precise diagnosis of brain seizures before brain-surgery. [Imec Press Release] Professor Zvi Ram Presents Phase III Recurrent Glioblastoma Survival and Quality of Life Data from First Pivotal Study of NovoTTF-100A Data presented from a pivotal, phase III randomized clinical trial for patients with recurrent glioblastoma tumors suggest that Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) therapy may increase median survival time and improve quality of life scores compared to best standard of care chemotherapy. [Press release from Newswise discussing data presented at the Society for Neuro-Oncology Annual Scientific Meeting] Team Reports Molecular Structure of Dopamine Receptor A team has solved the structure of one of the receptors that responds to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Although dopamine transmission is essential to normal brain functioning, the biological assembly of the molecules involved in this crucial neuronal interplay had not been known-until now. [Press release from The Scripps Research Institute discussing online prepublication in Science] Important Brain Area Organized by Color and Orientation A brain area known to play a critical role in vision is divided into compartments that respond separately to different colors and orientations, researchers have discovered. The findings have important implications for furthering our understanding of perception and attention. [Press release from Vanderbilt University discussing online prepublication in Nature Neuroscience] Differences in Brain Development Between Males and Females May Hold Clues to Mental Health Disorders Researchers have discovered differences in the development of the amygdala region of the brain — which is critical to the expression of emotional and social behaviors — in animal models that may help to explain why some mental health disorders are more prevalent among boys. [Press release from ScienceDaily discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA] Mysterious Cells May Play Role in ALS By tracking the fate of a group of immature cells that persist in the adult brain and spinal cord, Johns Hopkins researchers discovered in mice that these cells undergo dramatic changes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). [Press release from Johns Hopkins Medicine discussing online prepublication in Neuron] Origin of Cells Associated with Nerve Repair Discovered Scientists have discovered the origin of a unique type of cell that can help the central nervous system regenerate. This may allow more of these cells to be produced and used to repair spinal cord injuries. [Press release from the Wellcome Trust discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA] New Imaging Method Developed at Stanford Reveals Stunning Details of Brain Connections Researchers applying a state-of-the-art imaging system to brain-tissue samples from mice, have been able to quickly and accurately locate and count the myriad connections between nerve cells in unprecedented detail, as well as to capture and catalog those connections’ surprising variety. [Press release from Stanford University School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in Neuron] Sensory Detection and Discrimination: Study Reveals Neural Basis of Rapid Brain Adaptation Scientists uncovered the biological basis of the brain’s ability for rapid adaptation: neurons located at the beginning of the brain’s sensory information pathway that change their level of simultaneous firing. [Press release from PhysOrg discussing online prepublication in Nature Neuroscience]
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Proteostasis Therapeutics Enters into Research Collaboration with Harvard University – Laboratory of Dr. Laurie Glimcher Proteostasis Therapeutics announced that it has entered into a research collaboration with the laboratory of Laurie H. Glimcher, M.D., Irene Heinz Given Professor of Immunology at the Harvard School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. The collaborative work is focused on evaluating new signaling pathways important for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. [Proteostasis Therapeutics Press Release] Celldex Therapeutics Reports Positive Results from Rindopepimut Phase 2 Brain Cancer Study at SNO 2010 Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. announced the presentation of complete data for the primary endpoint of ACT III, a multi-center, single arm, Phase 2 clinical trial of rindopepimut (CDX-110) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. [Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release] Additional Phase 3 Clinical Trial Data Published in Annals of Neurology Showing Dalfampridine Extended Release Tablets Improved Walking Ability in People with Multiple Sclerosis Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. announced that data from the second of two pivotal dalfampridine extended release tablets Phase 3 clinical trials in multiple sclerosis were published in the October 2010 edition of Annals of Neurology. [Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release] Merck KGaA: Enrollment Completed for ORACLE MS Study of Cladribine Tablets in Patients at Risk of Developing MS Merck KGaA announced the completion of patient enrollment in the ORACLE MS 1 clinical study. This randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, international Phase III trial is designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Cladribine Tablets on the time to conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS) in people with a first clinical event suggestive of the disease. [Merck KGaA Press Release] Roach Elected President-Elect of Child Neurology Society E. Steve Roach, MD, Chief of Neurology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has been elected President-Elect of the Child Neurology Society (CNS). [Nationwide Children’s Hospital Press Release]
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EVENTS (Listed by Date) The American Society for Cell Biology 50th Annual Meeting December 11-15, 2010 Philadelphia, United States Keystone Symposia: Adult Neurogenesis January 9-14, 2011 Taos, New Mexico Select Biosciences 5th Annual Stem Cells World Congress January 24-25, 2011 San Diego, United States Phacilitate 7th Annual Cell & Gene Therapy Forum 2011 January 24-26, 2011 Washington, DC, United States Keystone Symposia – Stem Cells in Development, Tissue Homeostasis and Disease January 30-February 4, 2011 Santa Fe, United States Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Molecular and Cellular Basis for Neurodegeneration February 21-26, 2011 Taos, United States Trends in Central Nervous System Malignancies March 25-26, 2011 Bucharest, Romania Wiring the Brain: Making Connections April 12-15, 2011 Powerscourt, Ireland Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community. JOB OPPORTUNITIES Lab Technologist – Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies) Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies) Product Manager – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies) Recruit Top Talent Reach more than 11,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities with Neural Cell News at no cost. Visit here to post your career opportunities.
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