NextVolume 11.12 April 5, 2010Previous

Joining Forces to Unveil Cell Division
The European Union-funded project MitoCheck has successfully determined the genetic basis of cell division by systematically inactivating each and every human gene, in total 22 000, in cultured cells. [Press release from the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology discussing online prepublication in Nature and Science]
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Israeli Advance in Stem Cell Tech 
Researchers recently demonstrated that human embryonic stem cell lines can be developed and grown while floating within a cultivation medium. [Press release from Hadassah University Medical Center discussing online prepublication in Nature Biotechnology]
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Gene Flaw Found in Induced Stem Cells
A team led by Konrad Hochedlinger at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has now derived induced pluripotent stem and embryonic stem cells with identical DNA. [Nature News Press Release]
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Tomato Genes Produce Promising Results Against Brain Tumors
Tomato genes could be used as a future treatment in gene therapy, according to new research results. [Press release from Lund University discussing online prepublication in Neuro-Oncology]
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Joint Fluid May Have Regenerative Effect
German scientists say concentrations of the hormones testosterone in men and estrogen in women might have a positive effect on cartilage tissue regeneration. [Press release from United Press International discussing online prepublication in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism]
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Promoting Healing by Keeping Skeletal Stem Cells ‘Young’
Scientists seeking new ways to fight maladies ranging from arthritis and osteoporosis to broken bones that won’t heal have cleared a formidable hurdle, pinpointing and controlling a key molecular player to keep stem cells in a sort of extended infancy. [Press release from the University of Rochester Medical Center discussing online prepublication in Development]
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New Tool for RNA Silencing
Researchers have created the first class of reagents to potently and selectively inhibit miRNAs in the widely used model organism C. Elegans. [Press release from AlphaGalileo discussing online prepublication in Silence]
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Making the Blind See: Gene Therapy Restores Vision in Mice
In a recent research report, scientists describe how they used a non-viral, synthetic nanoparticle carrier to improve and save the sight of mice with retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited disease characterized by progressive vision loss and eventual blindness. [Press release from EurekaAlert! discussing online prepublication in The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal]
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Gene Therapy Boosts Recovery from Heart Attack
In a new study, researchers in Bristol investigated whether nerve growth factor could help the heart recover from a heart attack by encouraging new blood vessels to grow into and nourish the injured muscle. [Press release from the University of Bristol discussing online prepublication in Circulation Research]
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Stem Cell Therapy to Tackle HIV
A novel stem cell therapy that arms the immune system with an intrinsic defense against HIV could be a powerful strategy to tackle the disease. [Science Daily Press Release]
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One Step Closer to Personalized Medicine: University of Alabama at Birmingham Researchers Find First Bio-Marker for Multiple Sclerosis
Researchers have found the first bio-marker for multiple sclerosis that might predict which patients will respond to a standard therapy and which will not. [Press release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham discussing online prepublication in Nature Medicine]
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Prosensa Initiates Clinical Development of PRO044 in an Open Label Phase I/II Study - Prosensa’s Second Clinical Candidate for Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The objective of this open label, dose-escalating study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the systemic delivery of PRO044 in twelve Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients receiving weekly subcutaneous injections for a period of five weeks. [Prosensa Press Release]
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Living Cell Technologies Phase II Diabetes Trial Success: Approval to Progress
Living Cell Technologies announced that it has received approval to advance to the next phase of its New Zealand Phase II human clinical trial with its groundbreaking DIABECELL®. [Living Cell Technologies Limited Press Release]
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CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

Conversion of Adult Pancreatic Alpha-Cells to Beta-Cells After Extreme Beta-Cell Loss
Researchers show beta-cell regeneration in a transgenic model of diphtheria-toxin-induced acute selective near-total beta-cell ablation. [Nature]
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Phenotypic Profiling of the Human Genome by Time-Lapse Microscopy Reveals Cell Division Genes
As part of the Mitocheck consortium, this study provides an in-depth analysis of cell division phenotypes and makes the entire high-content data set available as a resource to the community. [Nature]
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Systematic Localization and Purification of Human Protein Complexes Identifies Chromosome Segregation Proteins
This work has led to the discovery of previously unknown, evolutionarily conserved subunits of the anaphase-promoting complex and the gamma-tubulin ring complex, large complexes which are essential for spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. [Science]
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T Helper Type 1 and 17 Cells Determine Efficacy of Interferon-Beta in Multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Encephalomyelitis
Investigators have found congruence in outcome between responses to interferon-beta in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. [Nature Medicine]
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Derivation, Propagation and Controlled Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Suspension
Researchers show that human embryonic stem cells lines can be derived from floating inner cell masses in suspension culture conditions that do not involve feeder cells or microcarriers. [Nat Biotechnol]
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Gene Delivery to Mitotic and Postmitotic Photoreceptors via Compacted DNA Nanoparticles Results in Improved Phenotype in a Mouse Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa
These findings, using a clinically relevant treatment paradigm, illustrate the potential for application of nanoparticle-based gene replacement therapy for treatment of human retinal degenerations. [FASEB J]
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Judge Invalidates Human Gene Patent
A federal judge struck down patents on two genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer. The decision, if upheld, could throw into doubt the patents covering thousands of human genes and reshape the law of intellectual property. [United States District Court, United States]
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Ohio Bill to Ban Human Cloning Draws Fire from Stem Cell Researchers
An Ohio senator has reintroduced legislation stem cell researchers had hoped would never again see the light of day: a cloning ban some in the medical industry fear will hurt innovation in the state. [Ohio Senate, United States]
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MDRNA, Inc. Acquires Cequent Pharmaceuticals
MDRNA, Inc. and Cequent Pharmaceuticals announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which MDRNA will acquire Cequent in an all stock transaction valued at approximately $46 million. [MDRNA, Inc. Press Release]
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International Stem Cell Announces the Signing of a Distribution Agreement with Veritas Corporation, Opening Japanese Markets for Its Lifeline Cell Technology® Brand of Human Cell Culture Products
International Stem Cell Corporation announced its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology has signed a distribution agreement with Tokyo-based Veritas Corporation to distribute its human cell culture products throughout Japan. [International Stem Cell Corporation Press Release]
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Alnylam Announces Additional Grant of Tuschl II Patent in Japan
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the Japanese Patent Office has granted claims in a second patent application (JP Application Number 2006-317758) for the Tuschl II patent series, entitled "RNA Interference Mediating Small RNA Molecules". [Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release]
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Louisiana State University Researcher Receives Grant to Study Equine Adult Stem Cells
Dr. Mandi Lopez, associate professor and director of the Louisiana State University Laboratory for Equine and Comparative Orthopedic Research, is the recipient of a competitive grant award from the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation to study equine adult stem cells for repair of injured bone. [Louisiana State University Press Release]
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University of Rochester Medical Center Receives $4.5 Million in New York State Stem Cell Grants
The University of Rochester Medical Center has received a total of $4.5 million in funding from the Empire State Stem Cell Board for research in neurological disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and bone repair. [University of Rochester Medical Center Press Release]
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Boehringer Ingelheim Launches Global Venture Fund to Foster Innovation in Life Sciences
Boehringer Ingelheim announced the launch of its corporate venture capital fund, the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund. [Boehringer Ingelheim Press Release]
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Aderans Research Institute Inc. Purchases Intercytex Assets
Aderans Research Institute Inc. announced it acquired key technology assets from Regenerative Medicine Assets. [PR Web]
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Health Reform Will Set Off Biotech Tax Credit Rush
New research credit, capped at $1 billion, should be a bonanza for some small and medium-sized firms and their investors. [Forbes]
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Enhancing Peer Review: Updated Processes for the Review of All Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Fellowship Applications (NOT-OD-10-071)
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NIH Will Require the Electronic Submission of Appointment Forms and Termination Notices via xTrain for Research Training, Fellowship, Education, and Career Awards Beginning January 2011 (NOT-OD-10-072)
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Small Business Innovation Research Award Levels Adjusted to $150,000 (Phase I) and $1,000,000 (Phase II) (NOT-OD-10-079)
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Notice of Change in Expiration Date for Program Announcement on Bioengineering Research Partnerships (PAR-07-352) (NOT-EB-10-001)
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2010 Biological License Application Supplement Noteworthy Approvals
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FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States)

Revision of the Requirements for Constituent Materials [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0099]
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Voting and Nonvoting Consumer Representative Members on Public Advisory Committees and Panels; Notice of Public Meeting [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001]
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Determination of Regulatory Review Period for Purposes of Patent Extension; LUSEDRA [Docket Nos. FDA-2009-E-0202 and FDA-2009-E-0204]
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Revision of Organization and Conforming Changes to Regulations [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0148]
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Administrative Practices and Procedures; Good Guidance Practices; Technical Amendment [Docket No. FDA-1999-N-3539]
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