NextVolume 11.17 May 10, 2010Previous

Researchers Design New Biomaterial That Mimics Muscle Elasticity
Researchers have cast artificial proteins into a new solid biomaterial that very closely mimics the elasticity of muscle. [Press release from the University of British Columbia discussing online prepublication in Nature]
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Common Steroid Medications Hold Promise for Tissue Repair
A class of drugs commonly used for asthma, inflammation, and skin injury also may hold promise for tissue-repairing regenerative medicine. [Press release from Duke University Medical Center discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]
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Scientists Create Human Embryonic Stem Cells with Enhanced Pluripotency
Researchers have converted established human induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem cells to a base state of greater pluripotency.  [Press release from the Whitehead Institute discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]
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Engineering Better Immune Cells
Scientists from Caltech have shown that putting an RNA-based toggle mechanism into both live mice and human T cells allows them to turn cell growth on and off with a specific drug. [Press release from Technology Review discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]
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Bone Marrow Stem Cells in MS Show Promise
A groundbreaking trial to test bone marrow stem cell therapy with a small group of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been shown to have possible benefits for the treatment of the disease. [Press release from the University of Bristol discussing online prepublication in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics]
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Researchers Agree on Future of MS Stem Cell Research
Nature Reviews Neurology published an international consensus on the future of stem cell transplantation research for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), paving the way for more coordinated global research efforts and potentially better, and quicker, patient access to stem cell clinical trials. [Press release from PR Newswire discussing online prepublication in Nature Reviews Neurology]
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Gene Therapy Success Sets Stage for New Treatments for Inherited Blindness, Penn Veterinary Researchers Say
Veterinary vision scientists have safely and successfully used a viral vector in targeting a class of photoreceptors of the retina called rods, a critical first step in developing gene therapies for inherited blindness caused by rod degeneration. [Press release from the University of Pennsylvania discussing online prepublication in Gene Therapy]
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Cytori Reports Stem and Regenerative Cells from Body Fat Produce Statistically Significant Improvement in Heart Function in Chronic Ischemia Trial
The first clinical trial of adipose tissue-derived stem and regenerative cells for the treatment of no-option chronic heart disease patients showed the following: the procedure was safe and feasible; it demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in maximum oxygen consumption and patients' aerobic capacity measured as metabolic equivalents; and reduced the extent of infarct size in the left ventricle. [Press release from Cytori Therapeutics, Inc.]
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University of Georgia Discovery Holds Promise for Treatment of Diabetes and Other Debilitating Diseases
Two animal science researchers introduced to the world 13 pigs that may hold the key to new therapies to treat human diseases, including diabetes. The discovery marks the first time pluripotent stem cells have been created from adult livestock. [Press release from the University of Georgia]
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CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

Designed Biomaterials to Mimic the Mechanical Properties of Muscles
Researchers report artificial elastomeric proteins that mimic the molecular architecture of titin through the combination of well-characterized protein domains GB1 and resilin. [Nature]
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Quiescent and Active Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells with Distinct Morphologies Respond Selectively to Physiological and Pathological Stimuli and Aging
The discovery of multiple neural stem/progenitor cell populations with Notch dependence but selective responses to stimuli and reversible quiescence has important implications for the mechanisms of adaptive learning and also for regenerative therapy. [Cell Stem Cell]
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Integrin Alpha 6 Regulates Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Researchers examined the glioblastoma stem cell perivascular microenvironment in patient specimens to identify enrichment markers with a functional significance and identified integrin alpha6 as a candidate. [Cell Stem Cell]
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Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Adult Somatic Cells by Protein-Based Reprogramming without Genetic Manipulation
Researchers report that that a single transfer of ESC (embryonic stem cell)-derived proteins into primarily cultured adult mouse fibroblasts, rather than repeated transfer or prolonged exposure to materials, can achieve full reprogramming up to the pluripotent state without the forced expression of ectopic transgenes. [Blood]
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Factor IX Ectopically Expressed in Platelets can be Stored in Alpha-Granules and Corrects the Phenotype of Hemophilia B Mice
Studies suggest that targeting human factor IX expression to platelets could be a new gene therapy strategy for hemophilia B. [Blood]
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Human CD34+ Cells in Experimental Myocardial Infarction: Long-Term Survival, Sustained Functional Improvement, and Mechanism of Action
Researchers sought to track the fate of injected human CD34+ cells in the hearts of severe combined immune deficiency mice after experimental myocardial infarction and to determine the mechanisms of action. [Circ Res]
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Identification of Select Glucocorticoids as Smoothened Agonists: Potential Utility for Regenerative Medicine
Halcinonide, fluticasone, clobetasol, and fluocinonide provide an unprecedented opportunity to develop unique clinical strategies to treat Hedgehog-dependent illnesses. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]
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Human Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) with Biological and Epigenetic Characteristics Similar to Those of Mouse ESCs
Here, researchers rewire the identity of conventional human ESCs into a more immature state that extensively shares defining features with pluripotent mouse ESCs. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]
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Genetic Control of Mammalian T-Cell Proliferation with Synthetic RNA Regulatory Systems
Researchers describe a synthetic RNA-based regulatory system and its application in advancing cellular therapies by linking rationally designed, drug-responsive, ribozyme-based regulatory devices to growth cytokine targets to control mouse and primary human T-cell proliferation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]
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Safety and Feasibility of Autologous Bone Marrow Cellular Therapy in Relapsing-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
The lack of serious adverse effects and the suggestion of a beneficial effect in this small sample of patients with progressive disease justify conducting a larger phase II/III study to make a fuller assessment of the efficacy of mobilization of autologous bone marrow in patients with multiple sclerosis. [Clin Pharmacol Ther]
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Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Sclerosis: Current Status and Future Prospects
Researchers discuss how the data gathered to date challenge the narrow view that the therapeutic effects of neural stem/precursor cells and mesenchymal stem cells observed in the treatment of multiple sclerosis are accomplished solely by cell replacement. [Nat Rev Neurol]
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rAAV2/5 Gene-Targeting to Rods: Dose-Dependent Efficiency and Complications Associated with Different Promoters
Efficient and specific rod transduction, together with preservation of retinal structure was achieved with both mouse opsin promoter and human G-protein-coupled receptor protein kinase 1 promoter when viral titers in the order of 10e11 vg ml–1 were used.
[Gene Ther]
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NSF to Ask Every Grant Applicant for Data Management Plan
Scientists seeking funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will soon need to spell out how they plan to manage the data they hope to collect. It's part of a broader move by NSF and other federal agencies to emphasize the importance of community access to data. [National Science Foundation, United States]
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Montgomery Council Gives the Go-Ahead to 'Science City' Plan
County officials hope the development, which could be two decades in the making, could position Montgomery as an international center for biosciences that would rival North Carolina's Research Triangle or Palo Alto, Calif. The county is home to almost 300 biotech companies and institutions. [Montgomery County Council, United States]
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Granholm Announces Stem Cell Public Education Day
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm  announced at a press conference in Chicago that the World Stem Cell Summit will kick off with a free "Public Education Day" on October 3 at the Detroit Science Center. [Michigan, United States]
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Health Ministry Picks More Than 100 Drugs for Priority Development List
A health ministry panel selected more than 100 drugs for a priority development list aimed at overcoming the substantial delay in approving new drugs in Japan. [Ministry of Health, Japan]
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With Hung Parliament, British Scientists Wonder Who's the Boss?
On May 7, 2010, Britain woke up to an uncertain political future—and British scientists continue to remain in the dark about how expected government funding cuts will slice into research efforts. [Parliament of the United Kingdom, United Kingdom]
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National Bioscience Report Shows Some Growth Even During Recession
The U.S. bioscience industry continued to score employment gains through 2008 – the first year of the recent economic downturn, according to a study by Battelle and the Biotechnology Industry Organization. [Biotechnology Industry Organization Press Release]
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San Francisco Extends Biotech Payroll Tax Exemption
San Francisco supervisors voted 9-2 to allow biotech companies to be exempt from payroll taxes for 7½ years irrespective of the application date. [Sacramento Business Journal Press Release]
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Cellular Dynamics Partners with iPS Academia Japan, Inc. to In-License Seminal iPS Cell Patent Portfolio
Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. and iPS Academia Japan, Inc. announced a nonexclusive licensing agreement for the seminal induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) patent portfolio arising out of the work of Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, M.D, Ph.D., Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University. [Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. Press Release]
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Novocell Becomes ViaCyte, Inc. as it Accelerates Pre-Clinical Development of a Stem Cell Derived Treatment for Diabetes
Novocell, Inc., a preclinical stage stem cell engineering company focused on diabetes, announced the Company’s shareholders and Board of Directors approved a name change to ViaCyte, Inc. [ViaCyte, Inc. Press Release]
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ARIAD Announces Restructuring of Its Ridaforolimus Collaboration with Merck
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has restructured its July 2007 collaboration with Merck, Sharpe & Dohme Corp. for the development, manufacture, and commercialization of ridaforolimus - ARIAD's investigational mTOR inhibitor. [ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release]
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Intercell Acquires Antibody Technology Platform to Further Exploit Its Capabilities to Combat Infectious Diseases
Intercell AG announced that it has signed an agreement with Cytos Biotechnology Ltd. to acquire Cytos' platform technology for monoclonal antibody discovery. [Intercell AG Press Release]
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Osiris Resumes Enrollment in Stem Cell Trial for Crohn’s Disease Following Positive Interim Analysis
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it is resuming enrollment in its clinical trial evaluating Prochymal for patients with treatment-resistant Crohn’s disease. [Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]
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Osiris Therapeutics Receives FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Stem Cell Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has been granted Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Prochymal as a treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. [Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]
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CEL-SCI Provides Update on Pivotal Phase III Study of Cancer Immunotherapy Drug Multikine
CEL-SCI Corporation provided an update on its planned Phase III clinical trial of its cancer immunotherapy drug candidate Multikine®. [CEL-SCI Corporation Press Release]
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Vaccinogen Selects Clinipace Worldwide to Manage Global Phase IIIb Clinical Trial
Clinipace Worldwide announced that Vaccinogen has selected the company to manage a pivotal phase IIIb confirmatory trial for OncoVAX® in the treatment of Stage II Colon Cancer. [Clinipace Worldwide Press Release]
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Interim Results From Aastrom's Vascular Trial to be Presented at Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. announced that positive interim results from the company's U.S. Phase IIb trial designated RESTORE-CLI has been accepted for presentation at this year's Vascular Annual Meeting® of the Society for Vascular Surgery. [Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. Press Release]
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REGiMMUNE Presents New ToleroVax Data at the 2010 American Transplant Congress
REGiMMUNE Corporation said that data from a preclinical study showed an enhanced immune suppression when ToleroVax (RGI-2001), its lead product candidate for the prevention of acute Graft-versus-Host Disease, is combined with anti-thymocyte globulin. [REGiMMUNE Corporation Press Release]
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Power3 Principals Patent Stem Cell Breakthrough Identifying Protein Biomarkers Which Scientists Expect to be the Gold Standard for Future Stem Cell Therapy
StemTroniX, Inc. and Power3 Medical Products, Inc. announced that a joint provisional patent application entitled, “Stem Cell Protein Biomarkers and Their Use in Monitoring Stem Cells and Their Products for Stem Cell Therapy” has been filed by the principals of StemTroniX and Power3 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [Power3 Medical Products, Inc. Press Release]
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Alnylam Receives Intent to Grant by European Patent Office for New Patent Broadly Covering RNAi Therapeutics
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced that the European Patent Office has issued a notification of an intent to grant for the "Manoharan II" patent series (EP Application No 04 718 537), titled "Therapeutic Compositions." [Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release]
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Controversial NF-Kappa B Patent Falls Down on Written Description
A hearing before the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit examining the 'written description' requirement of U.S. patent law has seen Ariad's patent directed towards the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway invalidated. [Nature Reviews Drug Discovery Press Release] 
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Details of New Wellcome Trust Investigator Awards Announced
The Wellcome Trust announced further details of its Investigator Awards, a major new scheme to support world-class researchers to tackle ambitious research questions about health and disease. [The Wellcome Trust Press Release]
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Chemical Engineering Professor Wins $1.9 Million NIH Award
Shashi Murthy, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Northeastern University, has been awarded a three-year $1.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop innovative techniques for isolating and cultivating stem cells for use in the replacement of damaged tissue. [Northeastern University Press Release]
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NIH Starts to Flesh out Drug Development Program
Lawmakers began discussing the details of a newly created drug development program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH Director Francis Collins told a Senate panel that he's eager to get started—once the program has a budget.
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Notice of Funding Opportunity for a Cell Characterization Core for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium (NOT-HL-10-109)
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Notice of Intent to Publish Request for Applications for the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network Data Coordinating Center (U10) (NOT-HL-10-108)
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Enhancing Peer Review: Expectation for Service on NIH Peer Review and Advisory Groups (NOT-OD-10-089)
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Request for Information: Scientific and Regulatory Issues to be Explored at an Upcoming Pluripotent Stem Cell Workshop involving NIH and FDA (NOT-NS-10-016)
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List of Establishments Granted Approval for a Variance to 21CFR640.3(d) and 21CFR640.3(f)
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FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States)

Request for Information 75 FR 24835 - Infectious Diseases [Docket No. OSHA-2010-0003]
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Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0001]
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Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Experimental Study of Patient Information Prototypes [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0184]
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