Neural Cell News Volume 9.37 | Sep 30 2015

Centriole Amplification in Zebrafish Affects Proliferation and Survival but Not Differentiation of Neural Progenitor Cells
Researchers demonstrated that centriole amplification can induce multipolar anaphase, resulting in binucleated cells. Such binucleation caused substantial apoptosis in the neuroepithelium. [Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Chromatin Remodeling Factor Brg1 Supports the Early Maintenance and Late Responsiveness of Nestin-Lineage Adult Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells
To assess the role of chromatin remodeling in adult neurogenesis, investigators inducibly deleted Brg1 – the core subunit of SWI/SNF-like BAF chromatin remodeling complexes – in nestin-expressing adult neural stem cells and their progeny in vivo and in culture. [Stem Cells] Abstract

SOCS3 in Retinal Neurons and Glial Cells Suppresses VEGF Signaling to Prevent Pathological Neovascular Growth
Scientists identified a mechanism by which suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in neurons and glial cells prevents neovascularization. They found that Socs3 expression was increased in the retinal ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers after oxygen-induced retinopathy. [Sci Signal] Abstract

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Neuronal Cells Cultured on Chemically-Defined Hydrogels for Sensitive In Vitro Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxin
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal cells were cultured on chemically-defined poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels formed by “thiol-ene” photopolymerization and tested as a cell-based neurotoxicity assay by determining sensitivity to active botulinum neurotoxin/A1. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Optimization of Neuronal Cultures from Rat Superior Cervical Ganglia for Dual Patch Recording
Scientists optimized the dissociation and culture conditions of rat superior cervical ganglion neurons cultures for dual patch clamp recordings. Two weeks in vitro were sufficient to achieve a significant CNTF-induced cholinergic switch and to develop mature and healthy neuronal profiles suited for detailed patch clamp analysis. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A Dorsal SHH-Dependent Domain in the V-SVZ Produces Large Numbers of Oligodendroglial Lineage Cells in the Postnatal Brain
Using intersectional lineage tracing in neonates to label dorsal radial glial cells expressing the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) target gene Gli1, scientists demonstrated that this region produces many corpus callosum cells in the oligodendroglial lineage and specific subtypes of neurons in the olfactory bulb. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

3D Neural Spheroid Culture: An In Vitro Model for Cortical Studies
The authors generated three-dimensional (3D) spheroids with primary postnatal rat cortical cells using an accessible, size-controlled, reproducible, and cost-effective method. Neurons and glia formed laminin-containing 3D networks within the spheroids. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods] Abstract

MicroRNA 302/367 Cluster Effectively Facilitates Direct Reprogramming from Human Fibroblasts into Functional Neurons
In human fibroblasts, investigators found that over-expression of pluripotency stem cell-specific microRNA (miRNA)-302/367 cluster, together with two other neuron-specific miRNAs induced fibroblasts conversion into neurons. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Taurine Protected against the Impairments of Neural Stem Cell Differentiated Neurons Induced by Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation
The authors investigated the protective effect of taurine on the differentiation of neural stem cells and subsequent maturation of their neuronal lineage, when exposed to oxygen–glucose deprivation. [Neurochem Res] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field.

Neuralstem Investigator Provides Phase II Update on ALS Cell Therapy at American Neurological Association Annual Meeting
Neuralstem, Inc. announced that nine-month Phase II and combined Phase I and Phase II data on the NSI-566 trial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was presented. [Press release from Neuralstem, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Neurological Association Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

From our sponsor:
Webinar: Brent Reynolds on the identification and characterization of neural stem cells. Watch now.

Kadimastem to Receive Sponsored Research Agreement with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Fast Forward Program
Kadimastem reported that it was awarded a grant amounting to approximately NIS 600K by Fast Forward, the commercial research program of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. [Kadimastem (Business Wire)] Press Release

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Awarded $19.9 Million Grant from California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to Fund ICT-107 Phase III Registration Program in Glioblastoma
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. announced that the governing board of the CIRM has awarded the Company $19.9 million to support the ICT-107 Phase III registration trial in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.] Press Release

Yale Professors Awarded White House BRAIN Initiative Grant
Two Yale School of Medicine professors have received a federal grant supported by President Obama’s BRAIN Initiative. R. Todd Constable, professor of diagnostic radiology, and Michael C. Crair, professor of neurobiology, will use the nearly $5 million National Institutes of Health award over three years to develop experimental and analytic methods for examining neuronal activity across scales, from the single cell to the whole brain. [Yale University] Press Release

MSK’s Lorenz Studer Named a 2015 MacArthur Fellow
Memorial Sloan Kettering developmental biologist Lorenz Studer has been named a 2015 MacArthur Fellow by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Dr. Studer investigates human stem cells as tools that can be used to understand development in the nervous system and to develop strategies to treat degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and ALS, as well as cancer. [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center] Press Release

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)

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

Faculty Position – Neuroscience (RIKEN Brain Science Institute)

Early Stage Researcher – Neuroscience (Universität Bern)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Epigenetic Modifiers (Van Andel Research Institute)

Research Fellow – Cnidarian Neural Development (University of Bergen)

Postdoctoral Position – Brain Tumor Research (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury Research (Indiana University-Purdue University)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroimmunology (Brain and Spine Institute)

Director – Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (Duke University)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.