Neural Cell News Volume 6.13 | Apr 4 2012

Local Generation of Glia Is a Major Astrocyte Source in Postnatal Cortex
Researchers show that a major source of glia in the postnatal cortex in mice is the local proliferation of differentiated astrocytes. [Nature] Abstract

An Evolutionary Recent Neuroepithelial Cell Adhesion Function of Huntingtin Implicates ADAM10-Ncadherin
Investigators found that huntingtin was essential for homotypic interactions between neuroepithelial cells. It permitted neurulation and rosette formation by regulating metalloprotease ADAM10 activity and Ncadherin cleavage. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Botch Promotes Neurogenesis by Antagonizing Notch
Researchers investigate the role of a developmentally expressed protein, Botch, which blocks Notch, in neocortical development. [Dev Cell] Abstract

The Ubiquitin E3 Ligase Parkin Regulates the Proapoptotic Function of Bax
Scientists demonstrate the parkin-dependent ubiquitination of endogenous Bax comparing primary cultured neurons from WT and parkin KO mice and using multiple parkin-overexpressing cell culture systems. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Target Genes of Topoisomerase IIβ Regulate Neuronal Survival and Are Defined by Their Chromatin State
Investigators show that a switch in the expression from topoisomerases IIα to IIβ occurs during neuronal differentiation in vitro and in vivo. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Neural Stem Cells Directly Differentiated from Partially Reprogrammed Fibroblasts Rapidly Acquire Gliogenic Competency
Neural stem cells were directly induced from mouse fibroblasts using four reprogramming factors without the clonal isolation of induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Astrocytes Modulate Neural Network Activity by Ca²⁺-Dependent Uptake of Extracellular K⁺
Researchers show here that astrocytic calcium ion (Ca²⁺) signaling ex vivo and in vivo stimulated the Na⁺– and K⁺-dependent adenosine triphosphatase, leading to a transient decrease in the extracellular potassium ion (K⁺) concentration. [Sci Signal] Abstract | Press Release

Thyroid Hormone Promotes Neuronal Differentiation of Embryonic Neural Stem Cells by Inhibiting STAT3 Signaling through TRα1
Researchers found that 3, 5, 3’-triiodo-L-thyronine decreased STAT3 phosphorylation and STAT3-DNA binding activity through thyroid hormone receptor alpha 1 (TRα1). [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

The Early Postnatal Nonhuman Primate Neocortex Contains Self-Renewing Multipotent Neural Progenitor Cells
Researchers report the identification of self-renewing multipotent neural progenitor cells derived from the postnatal day 14 marmoset monkey primary visual cortex. [PLoS One] Abstract

All-Trans-Retinoid Acid Induces the Differentiation of Encapsulated Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into GABAergic Neurons
Researchers examined the generation of GABAergic neurons from mouse embryonic stem cells by comparing an embryoid body-based methodology versus a hydrogel-based encapsulation protocol that involves the use of all-trans-retinoid acid. [Differentiation] Abstract

Medistem Collaborates with Loma Linda University on Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury Using Endometrial Regenerative Cells (ERC)
Medistem Inc. announced collaboration with Dr. C.S. Chen, Head of the Division of Oncology and Hematology of Loma Linda University and Dr. Anatol Manaenko, Zhang Neuroscience Research Laboratories for animal studies assessing the ability of the ERC stem cell product in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. [Medistem Inc.] Press Release

REMEDI Announces Collaborations with Chinese Universities
The Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) based at National University of Ireland, Galway has signed collaborative agreements with the Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and the Tangdu Neurosurgery & Neurology Hospital. One of the first joint projects will involve cutting edge induced pluripotent stem cell technology at REMEDI. [The Regenerative Medicine Institute] Press Release

A New Strategy for UK Regenerative Medicine
The Technology Strategy Board and four United Kingdom (UK) Research Councils have unveiled a new roadmap for UK regenerative medicine research which includes £75 million of investment into translational science. [Technology Strategy Board] Press Release

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)

NEW Select Biosciences – Stem Cells & Bioprocessing Europe
June 27-28, 2012
London, United Kingdom

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

Scientist – Endothelial Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Hematology (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Visual Neuroscience (RIKEN Brain Science Institute)

Postdoctoral Position in Stem Cell Biology/Neuroscience/Cancer (The Jackson Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Epigenetic Regulation of Neural Stem Cells (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

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