Neural Cell News Volume 6.42 | Oct 24 2012

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    Neural Cell News 6.42 October 24, 2012

         In this issue: Publications | Reviews | Science News | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs
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    TOP STORY
    Progressive Degeneration of Human Neural Stem Cells Caused by Pathogenic LRRK2
    Researchers report on the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from Parkinson’s disease patients and the implications of LRRK2 (glycine-to-serine substitution at amino acid 2019) mutation in human neural-stem-cell populations. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

    Your Free Copy of the Nature Neuroscience Wallchart "Neural Stem Cells" Awaits.

    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

    Dedifferentiation of Neurons and Astrocytes by Oncogenes Can Induce Gliomas in Mice
    Investigators showed that gliomas can originate from differentiated cells in the central nervous system, including cortical neurons. Transduction by oncogenic lentiviral vectors of neural stem cells, astrocytes, or even mature neurons in the brain of mice can give rise to malignant gliomas. [Science]
    Abstract | Press Release

    Neural Progenitor Cells Regulate Microglia Functions and Activity
    Scientists found mouse neural progenitor cells to have a secretory protein profile distinct from other brain cells and to modulate microglial activation, proliferation and phagocytosis. [Nat Neurosci]
    Abstract | Press Release

    Isolation of Multipotent Neural Stem or Progenitor Cells from Both the Dentate Gyrus and Subventricular Zone of a Single Adult Mouse
    The authors described a protocol to isolate self-renewing and multipotent neural stem or progenitor cells from the subventricular zone and the dentate gyrus of the same adult mouse. [Nat Protoc]
    Abstract | Full Article

    Temporal Application of Topography to Increase the Rate of Neural Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Researchers explored the effect of topography on the neural differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells by quantitatively studying the changes in marker expression at a transcript and protein level. [Biomaterials] Abstract

    Direct Isolation and RNA-Sequencing Reveal Environment-Dependent Properties of Engrafted Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells
    Investigators combined bioimaging, flow-cytometric isolation and ultra-high-throughput RNA sequencing to evaluate the cellular properties of engrafted neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). The acutely transplanted NSPCs had beneficial effects on spinal cord injury, particularly neuroprotection and neurohumoral secretion, whereas their in situ secretory activity differed significantly from that predicted in vitro. [Nat Commun] Abstract

    An In Vitro Model of Developmental Synaptogenesis Using Co-Cultures of Human Neural Progenitors and Cochlear Explants
    To successfully replace auditory neurons, stem cell-derived neurons must be electrically active, capable of organized outgrowth of processes, and of making functional connections with appropriate tissues. Researchers developed an in vitro assay to test these parameters using co-cultures of developing cochlear explants together with neural progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

    Effects of Salvianolic Acid B on Survival, Self-Renewal and Neuronal Differentiation of Bone Marrow Derived Neural Stem Cells
    Scientists demonstrated that salvianolic acid B possesses the ability to promote bone marrow derived-neural stem cells proliferation in a dose dependent manner as verified by growth curve and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays. [Eur J Pharmacol] Abstract

    Transplantation of Neural Stem Cells Co-Transfected with Nurr1 and Brn4 for Treatment of Parkinsonian Rats
    The authors investigated the effect of transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) model rats. Results show that overexpression of Nurr1 promoted NSCs to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vivo, increased the level of dopamine neurotransmitter in the striatum, resulting in behavioral improvement of PD rats. [Int J Dev Neurosci] Abstract

    Interferon-β Delivery via Human Neural Stem Cell Abates Glial Scar Formation in Spinal Cord Injury
    Glial scar formation is the major impedance to axonal regrowth after spinal cord injury (SCI), and scar-modulating treatments have become a leading therapeutic goal for SCI treatment. Here, human neural stem cells encoding interferon-β gene were administered intravenously to mice one week after SCI. [Cell Transplant] Abstract | Full Article

    Happy Neurons lead to Happy Neuroscientists: NeuroCult SM Primary Neuronal Culture Kits

    REVIEWS
    Synaptic Circuit Remodeling by Matrix Metalloproteinases in Health and Disease
    This review explores the paradigm shift in our understanding of the contribution of matrix metalloproteinases to normal and abnormal synaptic plasticity and function. [Nat Rev Neurosci] Abstract

    SCIENCE NEWS
    ANAVEX 2-73 Shown to Block Oxidative Stress, Preventing Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease
    Anavex Life Sciences Corp. unveiled more promising new data regarding ANAVEX 2-73, the company’s drug candidate for the treatment and modification of Alzheimer’s disease currently in human clinical trials. [Press release from Anavex Life Sciences Corp. discussing research presented at Neuroscience 2012, New Orleans]
    Press Release | Poster

    INDUSTRY NEWS

    The Michael J. Fox Foundation Awards Grant to Support Avanir Pharmaceuticals’ Clinical Study of AVP-923 for Levodopa Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson’s Disease
    Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that The Michael J. Fox Foundation has awarded the company a grant to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AVP-923 for the treatment of levodopa-induced-dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease. [Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

    Amarantus Biosciences Awarded Research Grant by Center of Excellence in Apoptosis Research
    Amarantus BioSciences, Inc., a biotechnology company developing new treatments for brain-related disorders including Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injuries centered on its unique proprietary anti-apoptotic therapeutic protein known as MANF, announced a Translational Research Grant award from the University of Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute’s Center of Excellence in Apoptosis Research. [Amarantus BioSciences, Inc.] Press Release

    Association Establishes the AABB Center for Cellular Therapies

    AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) has established the AABB Center for Cellular Therapies, a functional unit within AABB that will focus on activities designed to foster patient safety and responsible innovation in the cellular therapy and regenerative medicine field. [AABB] Press Release

    POLICY NEWS

    Australian Research Grants Escape Government Cutbacks
    Australia’s research grants have been left untouched in mid-year spending adjustments aimed at maintaining a budget surplus. But scientists are not entirely happy with the figures announced: over the next four years, the government has removed some A$499 million from funds that help universities meet the overhead costs of research, such as equipment and infrastructure. [Australian Science Minister, Australia] 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)

    EVENTS

    NEW Workshop on Approval and Commercialization of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products in Europe
    November 15, 2012
    Berlin, Germany

    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.)

    Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

    Product Manager – Hematopoietic (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

    Postdoctoral Position – Neurobiology (Weizmann Institute of Science)

    Postdoctoral Position – Pathophysiology of Brain Tumors (UMR 6301 ISTCT)

    Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)

    Postdoctoral Position(s) – Cell Biology, Biophysics and Neurobiology (University of Missouri, Kansas City)

    Postdoctoral Position – Sensory Neuron Morphogenesis (MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology)

    Postdoctoral Position – Intrinsic Plasticity and Homeostasis in the Neocortex (University of Leicester)

    Postdoctoral Position – Axonal Transport of Mitochondria in ALS (University of Sheffield)

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