Neural Cell News Volume 6.16 | Apr 25 2012

Housekeeping Mechanism for Brain Stem Cells Discovered
Researchers have identified a molecular pathway that controls the retention and release of the brain’s stem cells. [Press release from Columbia University Medical Center discussing online publication in Nature Cell Biology] Press Release | Abstract

Neurogenesis Requires TopBP1 to Prevent Catastrophic Replicative DNA Damage in Early Progenitors
Scientists report that TopBP1 is crucial for maintaining genome integrity in the early progenitors that drive neurogenesis. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

Characterization and Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells on Cadherin-Based Substrata
Scientists evaluated the effects of recombinant extracellular matrix components on the mouse embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells’ self-renewal and differentiation into neural progenitors, comparing conventional culture substrata. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Human Neural Stem Cells Genetically Modified to Express Human Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Gene Restore Cognition in Mouse with Ibotenic Acid-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction
Researchers demonstrated that human neural stem cells over-expressing NGF improve the cognitive function of learning deficit model mice. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

The Adult Human Brain Harbors Multipotent Perivascular Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Researchers provide evidence that the vascular niche in the adult human brain harbors a novel progenitor with multilineage capacity that appears to represent mesenchymal stem cells and is different from any previously described human neural stem cell. [PLoS One] Abstract | Press Release

Bmcc1s, a Novel Brain-Isoform of Bmcc1, Affects Cell Morphology by Regulating MAP6/STOP Functions
Researchers identified Bmcc1s, a novel isoform of Bmcc1 predominantly expressed in the mouse brain. In primary cultures of astrocytes and neurons, Bmcc1s localized on intermediate filaments and microtubules and interacted directly with MAP6/STOP, a microtubule-binding protein responsible for microtubule cold stability. [PLoS One] Abstract

CNF1 Improves Astrocytic Ability to Support Neuronal Growth and Differentiation In Vitro
Researchers demonstrated that astrocytes, under the influence of Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 (CNF1), increase their supporting activity on neuronal growth and differentiation, possibly related to diminished levels of interleukin 1β. [PLoS One] Abstract

Dual Regeneration of Muscle and Nerve by Intravenous Administration of Human Amniotic Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regulated by Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1α in a Sciatic Nerve Injury Model
The authors investigated the feasibility of intravenous administration of human amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells according to stromal cell-derived factor-1α expression time profiles to facilitate neural regeneration in a sciatic nerve crush injury model. [J Neurosurg] Abstract

Two-Photon Polymerization-Generated and Micromolding-Replicated 3D Scaffolds for Peripheral Neural Tissue Engineering Applications
This work supports the use of polylactic acid as a suitable material for supporting Schwann cell growth and in turn the use of 3D soft lithography for the synthesis of neural scaffolds in nerve repair. [Biofabrication] Abstract | Press Release

Stem Cell Initiative Receives Additional $1.5 Million Award
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, has received a three-year, $1.5 million grant renewal for stem cell education and research from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. [California State Polytechnic University Pomona] Press Release 

Asubio Initiates Landmark Clinical Study in Spinal Cord Injury
Asubio announced the initiation of a landmark Phase II clinical trial of SUN13837, an investigational medication being developed to improve neurological function in patients with newly diagnosed acute spinal cord injury. [PR Newswire] 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 13th International Conference on Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery
September 10-11, 2012
Jersey City, United States

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

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

Postdoctoral Position in Neuronal Cell Biology (University of Basel)

Postdoctoral Position – GIGA-Neurosciences (University of Liège)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Neural Stem Cells (Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier)

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