Pancreatic Cell News Volume 2.49 | Dec 13 2011

DIABETES

Imaging Dynamic Insulin Release Using a Fluorescent Zinc Indicator for Monitoring Induced Exocytotic Release (ZIMIR)
ZIMIR imaging of intact rat islets revealed that Zn²⁺/insulin release occurred largely in small groups of adjacent β cells, with each forming a “secretory unit.” [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Enhances Glucokinase Activity in Pancreatic β-Cells through the Association of Epac2 with Rim2 and Rab3A
Glucagon-like peptide-1-(7–36)-amide acutely enhanced cellular glucose uptake, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cellular ATP levels in response to glucose in rat INS-1 and native β-cells. [Endocrinology] Abstract

Generation of Glucose-Responsive Functional Islets with a Three-Dimensional Structure from Mouse Fetal Pancreatic Cells and iPS Cells In Vitro
To test whether islets can be formed in vitro, researchers examined the potential of mouse fetal pancreatic cells. [PLoS One] Abstract

Ongoing Notch Signaling Maintains Phenotypic Fidelity in the Adult Exocrine Pancreas
In this current study, scientists assessed the function of Notch signaling in the adult pancreas by deleting the transcription factor partner of Notch, Rbpj, specifically in Hes1⁺ cells. [Dev Biol] Abstract

Suppression of NANOG Induces Efficient Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Pancreatic Endoderm
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of NANOG gene suppression in differentiating human embryonic stem cells as a mean of increasing the efficiency with which endoderm-derived pancreatic cells could be generated. [Pancreas] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Five Loci Associated with Susceptibility to Pancreatic Cancer in Chinese Populations
To identify genetic susceptibility markers for pancreatic cancer, investigators carried out a genome-wide association study on 981 individuals with pancreatic cancer (cases) and 1,991 cancer-free controls of Chinese descent using 666,141 autosomal SNPs. [Nat Genet] Abstract

Recruitment of Histone Deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC2 by the Transcriptional Repressor ZEB1 Downregulates E-Cadherin Expression in Pancreatic Cancer
This study was undertaken to investigate how E-cadherin expression in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer cell lines is regulated. [Gut] Abstract

Whole-Exome Sequencing of Neoplastic Cysts of the Pancreas Reveals Recurrent Mutations in Components of Ubiquitin-Dependent Pathways
To assess the genomic landscapes of neoplastic cysts of the pancreas, researchers determined the exomic sequences of DNA from the neoplastic epithelium of eight surgically resected cysts of each of the major neoplastic cyst types: serous cystadenomas, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, mucinous cystic neoplasms, and solid pseudopapillary neoplasms. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

N-Cadherin Haploinsufficiency Increases Survival in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Here researchers determine the consequences of genetically manipulating N-cadherin expression in a mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [Oncogene] Abstract

The Proline TP53 Variant Stimulates Likely Lymphangiogenesis in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
This current work adapted an inducible strategy of stage-specific reexpression of wild-type TP53 in an in vivo orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

JDRF to Support ViaCyte’s Development of Innovative Encapsulated Beta Cell Replacement Therapy for Diabetes
JDRF announced its support of a pioneering diabetes research program that is developing a first-of-its-kind cell therapy for type 1 diabetes and other forms of insulin-dependent diabetes. [PR Newswire] Press Release

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Issues Supplement to FY 2012 RFAs – Collaborative Research Opportunity with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission announced the second year of a pilot a program that provides an opportunity for collaboration with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. [The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund] Press Release

Pediatric Clinical Trial Investigating Vaccine-Based Therapy for Solid Tumors
Recruitment is ongoing at Texas Children’s Cancer Center for a Phase I clinical trial in children with cancer using a novel immunotherapy approach called oncolytic virus therapy. [Baylor College of Medicine]
Press Release

CIRM Approves $27 Million for Initiatives to Accelerate Promising Stem Cell Research Projects
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) enhanced its efforts to proactively discover and fund innovative research and to provide continuous support to successful research programs, speeding the development of new stem cell-based therapies. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] 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)

National Health Service (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies) 

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientific Marketing Communications Specialist (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research Technologist, Manufacturing Sciences (STEMCELL Technologies)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Islet Cell Electrophysiology (Vanderbilt University)    

Professor of Metabolism and Diabetes (Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

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