Neural Cell News Volume 9.43 | Nov 18 2015

Generation of Functional Hippocampal Neurons from Self-Organizing Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Dorsomedial Telencephalic Tissue
Researchers demonstrated the generation of functional hippocampal granule- and pyramidal-like neurons from self-organizing dorsomedial telencephalic tissue using human embryonic stem cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Aging Neural Progenitors Lose Competence to Respond to Mitogenic Notch Signaling
The authors found that aging intermediate neural progenitors (INPs) lose competence to respond to constitutively active Notch signaling. They showed that reducing the levels of the old INP temporal transcription factor Eyeless/Pax6 allows Notch signaling to promote the de-differentiation of INP progeny into ectopic INPs, thereby creating a proliferative mass of ectopic progenitors in the brain. [Curr Biol] Abstract

Planar Cell Polarity-Mediated Induction of Neural Stem Cell Expansion during Axolotl Spinal Cord Regeneration
Investigators showed that during regeneration, axolotl neural stem cells repress neurogenic genes and reactivate a transcriptional program similar to embryonic neuroepithelial cells. [eLife] Abstract | Full Article

CTCF Cooperates with Noncoding RNA MYCNOS to Promote Neuroblastoma Progression through Facilitating MYCN Expression
CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) cooperates with MYCN opposite strand (MYCNOS) to suppress the differentiation and promote the growth, invasion and metastasis of neuroblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. [Oncogene] Abstract

Rapid and Robust Generation of Long-Term Self-Renewing Human Neural Stem Cells with the Ability to Generate Mature Astroglia
The authors report the development of a novel human pluripotent stem cells-based protocol enabling the generation of expandable homogenous human neural stem cells that can be maintained under self-renewing conditions over high passage numbers. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A High-Content Screen Identifies Compounds Promoting the Neuronal Differentiation and the Midbrain Dopamine Neuron Specification of Human Neural Progenitor Cells
Investigators carried out a high-content screen to systematically characterize known bioactive compounds, on their effects on the neuronal differentiation and the midbrain dopamine neuron specification of neural progenitor cells derived from the ventral mesencephalon of human fetal brain. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Arginase 1⁺ Microglia Reduce Aβ Plaque Deposition during IL-1β-Dependent Neuroinflammation
Experiments developed to explore the interaction between neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s disease pathology showed a surprising reduction in amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque deposition. The authors sought to understand this unexpected outcome by examining microglia phenotypes during chronic neuroinflammation. [J Neuroinflammation] Full Article | Press Release

A Robust Single Primate Neuroepithelial Cell Clonal Expansion System for Neural Tube Development and Disease Studies
Scientists report a robust and stable system to allow for clonal expansion of single monkey neuroepithelial stem cells (NESCs) to develop into miniature neural tube-like structures. Single NESCs can produce functional neurons in vitro, survive, and extensively regenerate neuron axons in monkey brain. [Stem Cell Reports]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Propentofylline Inhibits Glioblastoma Cell Invasion and Survival by Targeting the TROY Signaling Pathway
Researchers showed that propentofylline decreased glioblastoma (GBM) cell expression of TROY, inhibited glioma cell invasion, and sensitized GBM cells to TMZ. [J Neurooncol] Abstract | Press Release

Novel Cellular and Post-Genomic Technologies in the Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme
The research analysis of modern approaches towards creating biomedical drugs for treating cancer stem cells of glioblastoma multiforme is based on advances in the latest cellular and post-genomic technologies. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

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UCL Institute of Neurology Professor John Hardy Is First UK Winner of $3 Million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Professor John Hardy was awarded the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his pioneering research into the genetic causes of Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia and Parkinson’s disease. [National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery] Press Release

NIH-Supported NeuroBioBank Joins Autism BrainNet in Brain Donation Initiative
The National Institute of Mental Health has signed an agreement to establish a collaborative, nationwide effort for the collection, storage, and distribution of postmortem human brain tissue for the benefit of autism research. [National Institute of Health (NIH)] Press Release

Van Andel Research Institute Expands into New Areas of Parkinson’s Research
Van Andel Research Institute is continuing the expansion of its neurodegenerative disease research program, which aims to answer fundamental questions about diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, with the addition of two outstanding scientists. Gerhard Coetzee, Ph.D., and Viviane Labrie, Ph.D., will join the Center for Neurodegenerative Science. [Van Andel Research Institute] Press Release

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NEW Faculty Position – Neuroscience (RIKEN Brain Science Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Scaffold Design & Drug/Gene Delivery for Neural Tissue Engineering (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Engineering Research (Nanyang Technological University)

Director – Brown Institute for Brain Science (Brown University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pediatric Brain Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience/Stem Cell Research (University of California, Davis)

Faculty Position – Neuroscience (Columbia University)

Faculty Position – Astrocyte Biology (Mayo Clinic)

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

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