NextVolume 11.14 April 19, 2010Previous

Scripps Research Scientists Solve Mystery of Fragile Stem Cells
Scientists have solved the decade-old mystery of why human embryonic stem cells are so difficult to culture in the laboratory, providing scientists with useful new techniques and moving the field closer to the day when stem cells can be used for therapeutic purposes. [Press release from Scripps Research Institute discussing online prepublication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]
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Chinese Scientists Discover Marker Indicating the Developmental Potential of Stem Cells
Researchers in China are reporting that they have found a way to determine which somatic cells, or differentiated body cells that have been reprogrammed into a primordial, embryonic-like state are the most viable for therapeutic applications. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in the Journal of Biological Chemistry]
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Hair Stimulating Complex Trial Shows Continued Significant Hair Growth at One Year Follow-Up
Histogen, Inc. announced the one year data findings of its Hair Stimulating Complex pilot clinical trial. [Histogen, Inc. Press Release]
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Quebec Researchers Uncover Gene Therapy Treatment
Researchers at Quebec City's Laval University say they have made steps toward a treatment of a severe form of muscular dystrophy. [Press release from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation discussing online prepublication in Gene Therapy]
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How Can You Heal a Broken Heart?
Researchers are evaluating the safety, feasibility and efficacy of injecting stem cells into the hearts of patients while they are undergoing coronary bypass surgery. [Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal Press Release]
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Glass Helps Damaged Bone Regenerate
The goal is to place in the body a glass “scaffold” that promotes transport of blood and nutrients through interconnected pores and allows new cells to grow, without causing infection or a systemic reaction. [Lehigh University Press Release]
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Bioheart Commenced Successful Regenerative Stem Cell Treatments with Latin American Patients Having Congestive Heart Failure
Bioheart, Inc. announced that treatment with stem cell therapy on two congestive heart failure patients was performed successfully at the Hospital Angeles Tijuana, Mexico, through Bioheart's Center of Excellence program with Regenerative Medicine Institute. [PRNewswire Press Release]
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CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

Pronuclear Transfer in Human Embryos to Prevent Transmission of Mitochondrial DNA Disease
Researchers show that transfer of pronuclei between abnormally fertilized human zygotes results in minimal carry-over of donor zygote mtDNA and is compatible with onward development to the blastocyst stage in vitro. [Nature]
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Male Fetal Germ Cell Differentiation Involves Complex Repression of the Regulatory Network Controlling Pluripotency
Investigators hypothesize that active repression of pluripotency is required for fetal male germ cell differentiation and that failure of this mechanism may render germ cells susceptible to tumor formation. [FASEB J]
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Hepatocyte Growth Factor/MET Gene Transfer in Cardiac Stem Cells - Potential for Cardiac Repair
Researchers discuss the possible application of hepatocyte growth factor/MET gene therapy to enhance the ability of cardiac stem cells to promote myocardial regeneration. [Basic Res Cardiol]
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Activation of the Imprinted Dlk1-Dio3 Region Correlates with Pluripotency Levels of Mouse Stem Cells
In this study, investigators identified a conserved imprinted region of the mouse genome, the Dlk1-Dio3 region, which was activated in fully pluripotent mouse stem cells but repressed in partially pluripotent cells. [J Biol Chem]
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Meganucleases Can Restore the Reading Frame of a Mutated Dystrophin
This study provides proof of principle that meganucleases that are adequately engineered to target appropriate sequences in the human dystrophin gene should be able to restore the normal reading frame of that gene in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients with an out-of-frame deletion. [Gene Ther]
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Rederivation of Transgenic Mice from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Frozen Tissue
Researchers demonstrate for the first time that induced pluripotent stem cells can be efficiently derived from frozen-stored-thawed tail tissue and fibroblasts and used to re-establish a transgenic mouse line. [Transgenic Res]
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Stem Cell Funding in Sight
Two of the most widely used embryonic stem cell lines could be just weeks away from being eligible for United States federal funding. [Obama Administration, United States]
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Obama Picks Pragmatists for New Bioethics Panel
President Barack Obama named the members of his bioethics commission — headed by two university presidents. [National Bioethics Commission, United States]
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Indian Council for Medical Research Clears Use of Cord Blood Banking, Minimally Manipulated Stem Cells to Treat Debilitating Diseases
Indian Council for Medical Research has consented to permit cord blood banking and use of minimally manipulated stem cells to treat debilitating diseases. [Indian Council for Medical Research, India]
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Patents Block Competition, Slow Innovation in Gene Testing
Exclusive licenses to gene patents, most of which are held by academic institutions and based on taxpayer-funded research, do more to block competition in the gene testing market than to spur the development of new technologies for gauging disease risk. [Duke University Press Release]
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RXi Pharmaceuticals Announces Formation of microRNA Research Collaboration with Mirna Therapeutics
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it has entered into a research collaboration with Mirna Therapeutics, to determine the utility of combining RXi's proprietary rxRNA(TM) technology with Mirna's microRNA mimics as potential therapeutics in oncology. [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Press Release]
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RXi Pharmaceuticals and miRagen Therapeutics Announce Formation of Research Collaboration in the Field of microRNA
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference, and miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by developing innovative microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease, announced today that they have entered into a research collaboration. Under this agreement, the parties will evaluate the potential utility of RXi's proprietary rxRNA(TM) technology against specific miRNA targets of interest to miRagen in the cardiac and neuromuscular disease areas. [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Press Release]
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The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Stem Cell Scientists Explore Treatments for Blood Disorders and Lung Diseases
Stem cell scientists were awarded stimulus grants totaling almost $2 million to research experimental treatments for blood disorders and inherited lung diseases affecting children. [The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Press Release]
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BioFocus Launches Four Compound Libraries Targeting Kinases and Protein-Protein Interactions
BioFocus announced the launch of four biologically targeted libraries. These new libraries contain novel, drug-like compounds that specifically target kinases and protein-protein interactions. [BioFocus Press Release]
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Einstein Receives $10 Million National Institutes of Health Grant to Expand Stem Cell Research Facilities
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has been awarded $10 million from the National Institutes of Health to expand its stem cell research capabilities. [Albert Einstein College of Medicine Press Release]
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Stemgent and Pfizer Announce Collaboration
Stemgent, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. announced a collaboration and research licensing agreement that will lead to certain research reagents developed or discovered by Pfizer being made available to the global research community through Stemgent. [Business Wire]
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Entest Biomedical Announces Intent to Acquire Medistem
Entest BioMedical, Inc. announced that a Letter of Intent has been executed regarding the acquisition of approximately 61% of Medistem Inc. [MarketWire]
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Third Rock Ventures Eyes New $400 Million Fund
Third Rock Ventures LLC, a venture capital firm based in Boston, plans to raise a $400 million investment fund, according to a document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. [Boston Business Journal]
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Bay Street Says Life Sciences Fare Better in United States
Canadian life sciences companies that need to raise cash in capital markets are best served going south of the border for their financing needs, Bay Street specialty bankers said. [Reuters]
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Regenerative Medicine Company Wants Biobusiness Center Space
A start-up biotech company will seek Rochester City Council approval to put a manufacturing facility in the Minnesota Biobusiness Center. [The Post-Bulletin]
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Quebec Biotechs in Tailspin
Once Canada’s envy, and in the same league as Boston and San Francisco, Quebec’s biotechnology industry is a shadow of its former self and in danger of disappearing, observers say. [The Gazette]
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Working For A Biotech Start-Up
Fledgling firms offer rewards that sometimes outweigh the risks of conducting high-stakes research on a fast track. [Chemical and Engineering News]
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Policy Reminder Concerning Appendix Materials for All National Institutes of Health/Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Grant Applications (NOT-OD-10-077)
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Enhancing Peer Review: Clarification of Resubmission Policy and Determination of New Application Status (NOT-OD-10-080)
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Guidance on Confirming Appropriate Charges to NIH Awards During Periods of Noncompliance for Activities Involving Animals (NOT-OD-10-081)
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Update of Sample Animal Welfare Assurance for Foreign Institutions (NOT-OD-10-083)
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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Small Research Grant Program (R03) (PAR-10-168)
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Human Cell, Tissues and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products (HCT/P) List of Registered Establishments
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FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States)

Preparation for International Conference on Harmonisation Steering Committee and Expert Working Group Meetings in Tallinn, Estonia; Regional Public Meeting [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001]
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