Neural Cell News Volume 6.30 | Aug 1 2012

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    Neural Cell News 6.30 August 1, 2012

         In this issue: Publications | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs
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    TOP STORY
    Neuronal Circuitry Mechanism Regulating Adult Quiescent Neural Stem-Cell Fate Decision
    Researchers identified a niche cell-signal-receptor trio and a local circuitry mechanism that control the activation and self-renewal mode of quiescent adult neural stem cells in response to neuronal activity and experience. [Nature] Abstract

    Neurosphere or Adherent Monolayer Culture? NeuroCult Does Both.

    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

    Protocadherins Mediate Dendritic Self-Avoidance in the Mammalian Nervous System
    Scientists found that, although insect Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule and vertebrate clustered protocadherin proteins share no sequence homology, they seem to underlie similar strategies for endowing neurons with distinct molecular identities and patterning their arborizations. [Nature] Abstract

    Subcellular Knockout of Importin β1 Perturbs Axonal Retrograde Signaling
    The authors showed that a long 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) directs axonal localization of Importin β1. Conditional targeting of this 3′ UTR region in mice causes subcellular loss of Importin β1 mRNA and protein in axons, without affecting cell body levels or nuclear functions in sensory neurons. [Neuron]
    Abstract | Press Release

    Sonic Hedgehog Maintains Cellular and Neurochemical Homeostasis in the Adult Nigrostriatal Circuit
    Researchers report that the interruption of a non cell-autonomous mode of sonic hedgehog signaling originating from dopaminergic neurons causes progressive, adult-onset degeneration of dopaminergic, cholinergic, and fast spiking GABAergic neurons of the mesostriatal circuit, imbalance of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, and motor deficits reminiscent of Parkinson’s disease. [Neuron] Abstract

    A Role for Ephrin-A5 in Axonal Sprouting, Recovery, and Activity-Dependent Plasticity after Stroke
    Researchers demonstrated that stroke activates a newly described membrane-bound astrocyte growth inhibitor to limit neuroplasticity, activity-dependent axonal sprouting, and recovery in the adult. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
    Full Article | Press Release

    Modulation of Synaptic Function by VAC14, a Protein that Regulates the Phosphoinositides PI(3,5)P2 and PI(5)P
    Researchers report that endogenous VAC14 localizes to endocytic organelles in fibroblasts and neurons. Unexpectedly, VAC14 exhibited a pronounced synaptic localization in hippocampal neurons, suggesting a role in regulating synaptic function. [EMBO J] Full Article

    Establishment of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Centenarians for Neurodegenerative Disease Research
    Researchers compared the expression of molecules that play critical roles in late-onset neurodegenerative diseases by neurons differentiated from the centenarian-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to that of neurons differentiated from iPSCs derived from familial Alzheimer’s disease and familial Parkinson’s disease patients. The results indicated that the centenarian series of iPSCs would be useful in neurodegeneration research. [PLoS One] Full Article

    Unique Preservation of Neural Cells in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Is Due to the Expression of the Neural-Specific miR-9 MicroRNA
    Data support the hypothesis, recently proposed from analyses in mice, that protection of neural cells from progerin accumulation in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is due to the physiologically restricted expression of microRNA (miR)-9 to that cell lineage. [Cell Reports] Abstract

    Increased Expression of the Homologue of Enhancer-of-Split 1 Protects Neurons from Beta Amyloid Neurotoxicity and Hints at an Alternative Role for Transforming Growth Factor Beta1 as a Neuroprotector
    Researchers report that the expression of homologue of Enhancer-of split 1 abolished the effects of beta-amyloid on dendritic patterning and gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic input, and it prevented the death of cultured neurons. [Alzheimers Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

    Learn to Efficiently Induce Neural Progenitor Cells for Human ES cells and iPS cells

    INDUSTRY NEWS

    Neuralstem Receives Notice of Issuance for Patent Covering Human Neural Cell Transplantation for Neurodegenerative Conditions
    Neuralstem, Inc. announced that it received a notice of issuance for patent number 12/710,097 titled: “Transplantation of Human Neural Cells for Treatment of Neurodegenerative Conditions.” This patent covers both the culturing of central nervous system cells as well as their transplantation into spinal cord tissue to treat neurodegenerative conditions, including amytrophic lateral sclerosis. [Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release

    Medical College of Wisconsin Researcher to Study New Treatment for Chronic Pain
    The Medical College of Wisconsin received a four-year, $1.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to study the use of genetically modified adult stem cells to treat neuropathic pain. [Medical College of Wisconsin] Press Release

    FDA Gives Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Green Light to Begin Human Clinical Trial
    The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has received permission from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a revolutionary Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety of transplanting human Schwann cells to treat patients with recent spinal cord injuries. [Miami Project to Cure Paralysis] 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 8th World Stem Cell Summit
    December 3-5, 2012
    West Palm Beach, United States

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

    JOB OPPORTUNITIES

    Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)


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

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

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

    Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Contract Assay Services (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Research and Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Professorship – Neurobiology (University of Zurich)

    Postdoctoral Research Associate – Neuroscience (Princeton Neurosciences Institute)

    Postdoctoral Fellowship – Neuroscience (Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center)

    Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience (Royal Netherlands Academy for Arts and Science)

    Postdoctoral Research Associate – Neuroscience (University of Leicester)

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