Neural Cell News Volume 6.03 | Jan 25 2012

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    Neural Cell News 6.03, January 25, 2012

         In this issue: Publications | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs
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    TOP STORY
    Study Identifies a New Way Brain Cells Die in Alzheimer’s Disease
    A new study challenges conventional thinking about how brain cells die in Alzheimer’s disease. The findings demonstrate a previously unknown mechanism by which the cells die and will help lead researchers in new directions for treating the degenerative brain disease. [Press release from the University of Calgary discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA]
    Press Release | Abstract

    Increase reproducibility between experiments using frozen primary cells. Learn more.

    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

    Probing Sporadic and Familial Alzheimer’s Disease using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Here researchers reprogrammed primary fibroblasts from two patients with familial Alzheimer’s disease, both caused by a duplication of the amyloid-β precursor protein gene, two with sporadic Alzheimer’s disease and two non-demented control individuals into induced pluripotent stem cell lines. Neurons from differentiated cultures were purified with fluorescence-activated cell sorting and characterized. [Nature] Abstract

    Mutation of a U2 snRNA Gene Causes Global Disruption of Alternative Splicing and Neurodegeneration
    Here, scientists demonstrate that mutation of Rnu2-8, one of the mouse multicopy U2 snRNA (uridine-rich small nuclear RNA) genes, causes ataxia and neurodegeneration. [Cell] Abstract

    Chronic In Vivo Imaging in the Mouse Spinal Cord using an Implanted Chamber
    Using their chronically implanted spinal chamber researchers quantified microglia and afferent axon dynamics after a laser-induced spinal cord lesion and observed massive microglia infiltration within 1 d along with a heterogeneous dieback of axon stumps. [Nat Methods] Abstract

    Secreted VAPB/ALS8 Major Sperm Protein Domains Modulate Mitochondrial Localization and Morphology via Growth Cone Guidance Receptors
    Researchers show that VAPB/ALS8 major sperm protein domains secreted by neurons act on Lar-like protein-tyrosine phosphatase and Roundabout growth cone guidance receptors expressed in striated muscle. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Press Release

    A Change in Nuclear Pore Complex Composition Regulates Cell Differentiation
    Here investigators show that a specific change in nuclear pore complex composition is required for both myogenic and neuronal differentiation. [Dev Cell] Abstract

    ATR Maintains Select Progenitors during Nervous System Development
    To understand how ATR [ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and rad3-related] functions during neurogenesis, scientists conditionally deleted Atr broadly throughout the murine nervous system, or in a restricted manner in the dorsal telencephalon. [EMBO J] Abstract

    Transplanted Neural Stem/Precursor Cells Instruct Phagocytes and Reduce Secondary Tissue Damage in the Injured Spinal Cord
    Here, scientists interrogated the therapeutic plasticity of neural stem/precursor cells after their focal implantation in the severely contused spinal cord. [Brain] Abstract

    Amino-Nogo-A Antagonizes Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Protects Immature Primary Cortical Neurons from Oxidative Toxicity
    Here, researchers show that HIV-1 trans-activating-mediated amino-Nogo-A protein transduction into cultured primary cortical neurons achieves an almost complete neuroprotection against oxidative stress induced by exogenous hydrogen peroxide. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

    Injury-Dependent Müller Glia and Ganglion Cell Reprogramming during Tissue Regeneration Requires Apobec2a and Apobec2b
    Investigators found that two cytidine deaminases (apobec2a and apobec2b) were expressed basally in the uninjured retina and that they were induced in proliferating, dedifferentiated Müller glia. [J Neurosci] Abstract

    Differential Cell Proliferation in the Cortex of the APPswePS1dE9 Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model
    Plaque deposition in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is known to decrease proliferation in neurogenic niches in AD mouse models, but the effects on cell proliferation and differentiation in other brain areas have not been studied in detail. Researchers analyzed cell proliferation in the cortex of wild type and APPswePS1dE9 transgenic mice at different ages. [Glia] Abstract

    Listen Now: New Podcast on ALDH in Breast Cancer Treatment Response

    INDUSTRY NEWS

    UCSF Shares $25-Million Grant to Find Epilepsy Genes
    To probe the genetic secrets of one of the most common neurological diseases, more than 4,000 people with various forms of epilepsy will have their DNA decoded over the next five years in a study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and several collaborating institutions. [The University of California, San Francisco] Press Release

    Stemedica Completes Pre-IND Meeting with the FDA for Ischemic Tolerant Neural Stem Cells (itNSC)
    Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. announced that it completed its pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding a proposed IND (Investigational New Drug) application to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Stemedica’s cGMP manufactured ischemic tolerant allogeneic neural stem cells (adult human) for spinal cord injury. [Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc.] Press Release

    POLICY NEWS

    National Institutes of Health (United States)

    Food and Drug Administration (United States)

    Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

    European Medicines Agency (European Union)

    Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

    Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

    EVENTS

    NEW Drug Discovery World Asia
    March 19-22, 2012
    Singapore, Singapore

    Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the neural cell community.

    JOB OPPORTUNITIES

    Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies) 

    Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

    Scientific Marketing Communications Specialist (STEMCELL Technologies)

    Research Technologist, Manufacturing Sciences (STEMCELL Technologies)

    Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)

    Postdoctoral Fellow – Adult Neurogenesis and Neural Signaling (University of Kentucky)

    Postdoctoral Position – Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of Neural Stem Cells (The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

    Postdoctoral Fellow – Program in Children’s Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

    Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow Position (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

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