NextVolume 11.18 May 17, 2010Previous

Aiming to Cure Deafness, Scientists First to Create Functional Inner-Ear Cells
Researchers report that they have found a way to develop mouse cells that look and act just like the animal’s inner-ear hair cells — the linchpin to our sense of hearing and balance — in a petri dish. [Press release from the Stanford University School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in Cell]
Article

Low Oxygen Levels Prevent X Chromosome Inactivation in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Oxygen levels in the lab can permanently alter human embryonic stem cells, specifically inducing X chromosome inactivation in female cells. [Press release from the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research discussing online prepublication in Cell]
Article

Same Disease, Different Stem Cell Models
Induced pluripotent stem cells are different from embryonic stem cells in their ability to model a human genetic disease, a new cell-to-cell comparison shows. [Press release from Children’s Hospital Boston discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell]
Article

Building Organs Block by Block: Tissue Engineers Create a New Way to Assemble Artificial Tissues
Researchers have come up with a new way to get cells grown in a lab dish to form 3-D shapes instead of flat layers, by encapsulating living cells in cubes and arranging them into 3-D structures.  The new technique, dubbed "micromasonry," employs a gel-like material that acts like concrete, binding the cell "bricks" together as it hardens. [Press release from PhysOrg discussing online prepublication in Advanced Materials]
Article

New Findings Complicate Use of Stem Cells
A hitherto unknown function that regulates how stem cells produce different types of cells in different parts of the nervous system has been discovered by researchers. [Press release from Linköping University discussing online prepublication in PLoS One]
Article

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

A Proximity-Based Programmable DNA Nanoscale Assembly Line
Researchers demonstrate that a nanoscale assembly line can be realized by the judicious combination of three known DNA-based modules: a DNA origami tile that provides a framework and track for the assembly process, cassettes containing three independently controlled two-state DNA machines that serve as programmable cargo-donating devices and are attached in series to the tile, and a DNA walker that can move on the track from device to device and collect cargo. [Nature]
Article

Mechanosensitive Hair Cell-like Cells from Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers present a stepwise guidance protocol starting with mouse embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells, which were directed toward becoming ectoderm capable of responding to otic-inducing growth factors. [Cell]
Article

Derivation of Pre-X Inactivation Human Embryonic Stem Cells Under Physiological Oxygen Concentrations
These findings indicate that the human blastocyst contains pre-X-inactivation cells and that this state is preserved in vitro through culture under physiological oxygen. [Cell]
Article

In Vivo Prevention of Transplant Arteriosclerosis by Ex Vivo-Expanded Human Regulatory T Cells
Researchers found that the in vivo development of transplant arteriosclerosis in human arteries was prevented by treatment of ex vivo-expanded human regulatory T cells. [Nat Med]
Article

Differential Modeling of Fragile X Syndrome by Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
These data highlight critical differences between embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in modeling fragile X disorder. [Cell Stem Cell]
Article

Mobilized Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells Promote Kidney Repair After Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Researchers studied the capacity of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) to promote kidney repair and regeneration using an established ischemia/reperfusion injury model in mice, with particular focus on the microvasculature. [Circulation]
Article

A Self-Inactivating Lentiviral Vector for SCID-X1 Gene Therapy That Does Not Activate LMO2 Expression in Human T Cells
In order to develop safer and more effective vectors for gene therapy of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1), researchers have evaluated new self-inactivating lentiviral vectors based on the HIV virus. [Blood]
Article

Leukemia Regression by Vascular Disruption and Anti-Angiogenic Therapy
In search of a multi-target anti-vascular treatment strategy for acute myelogenous leukemias researchers tested a novel vascular disrupting agent, OXi4503, alone and in combination with the anti-VEGF antibody, bevacizumab. [Blood]
Article

Transactivation of the Dopamine Receptor 3 Gene by a Single Provirus Integration Results in Development of B-Cell Lymphoma in Transgenic Mice Generated from Retrovirally Transduced Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers report on the development of lymphoma in mice generated from embryonic stem cells transduced with an enhanced green fluorescent protein. [Blood]
Article

Development of a Drug Screening Platform Based on Engineered Heart Tissue
Researchers developed a simple technique to construct large series of engineered heart tissue and automatically evaluate contractile activity. The method shall be useful for drug screening and disease modeling. [Circ Res]
Article

Micro-Masonry: Construction of 3D Structures by Microscale Self-Assembly
A biocompatible method for general construction of 3D structures by aggregation of micrometric polymeric subunits is presented. [Adv Mater]
Article

Segment-Specific Neuronal Subtype Specification by the Integration of Anteroposterior and Temporal Cues
This study reveals a surprisingly restricted, yet multifaceted, function of both anteroposterior and temporal cues with respect to lineage control and cell fate specification. [PLoS One]
Article

Back to Top

House Nixes More Research Spending in COMPETES Bill
Catching the Democratic leadership by surprise, members voted 292 to 126 to block passage of a 5-year authorization bill that would have provided healthy increases in the research and education budgets of the National Science Foundation and research programs at the Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce. [House of Representatives, United States]
Article

British Science and Climate/Energy Ministers Named
Following the formation of the United Kingdom's Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government, Conservative Member of Parliament David Willetts has been named as the new minister of state for universities and science. [House of Commons, United Kingdom]
Article

European and International Experts Discuss the Way Forward in Stem-Cell Research and Development
The European Medicines Agency assembled for the first time European and international experts from academia, regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical industry to review opportunities and difficulties in developing stem cell–based therapies and to discuss regulatory challenges. [European Medicines Agency, European Union]
Article

EU Agency Prepares to Assess First Stem Cell Drug
The first regenerative medicine based on stem cells could be filed for approval in Europe later this year, bringing the groundbreaking medical technology a step closer to reality. [European Medicines Agency, European Union]
Article

Training Australian Scientists in Latest Stem Cell Discoveries
For the first time in Australia, young researchers will be trained in the techniques of growing and using human induced pluripotent stem cells in research. [Australian Stem Cell Centre, Australia]
Article

Back to Top

Elexopharm Enters into Cardiovascular Collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc
ElexoPharm announced a collaboration and exclusive worldwide license agreement with Merck & Co., Inc. through an affiliate to develop and commercialize novel candidates targeting aldosterone synthase for the potential treatment of cardiovascular disease. [ElexoPharm Press Release]
Article

Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine, Genzyme Enter into Strategic Partnership
The strategic partnership between Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine and Genzyme will help quickly and successfully bring the company's innovative drugs to China, promoting innovation and development of the Chinese biopharmaceutical industry. [PR Newswire Press Release]
Article

BioSystem Development and ProZyme Join Forces to Revolutionize Glycan Sample Preparation
BioSystem Development, LLC and ProZyme, Inc. announced a partnership to redefine biotherapeutic glycan analysis workflow. [BioSystem Development, LLC Press Release]
Article

Mesoblast to Acquire Angioblast Systems Inc.
Australia’s regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast Limited, announced that it will acquire its United States associate company, Angioblast Systems, Inc. [Mesoblast Limited  Press Release]
Article

Beike Biotechnology Opens World's Largest Stem Cell Storage and Processing Facility
Beike Biotechnology Co. Ltd. and the Jiangsu government's China Medical City opened China's state-of-the-art stem cell storage and processing facility. [Beike Biotechnology Co. Ltd. Press Release]
Article

The New York Stem Cell Foundation Receives $27 Million Grant from Robertson Foundation to Promote Stem Cell Research
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has received a grant of $27 million from the Robertson Foundation, established by Julian and Josie Robertson. [The New York Stem Cell Foundation Press Release]
Article

RegeneRx Awarded $3 Million Grant from National Institutes of Health for Development of Heart Attack Drug
RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to support and accelerate the clinical development of its novel product candidate RGN-352, an injectable formulation of the novel therapeutic peptide Thymosin beta 4, or TB4, for patients who have suffered an acute myocardial infarction. [RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release]
Article

California Funds UCI Basic Research on Stem Cells
Two University of California Irvine (UCI) scientists will receive grants totaling more than $2.6 million to study the underlying biology of stem cells aimed at treating spinal cord injury, cancer and other disorders. [EurekAlert! Press Release]
Article

Clinical Trial Approval for SCIB1 Melanoma Vaccine Study
Scancell Holdings Plc, the developer of therapeutic cancer vaccines, is pleased to announce that its proposal to conduct a Phase I clinical trial on SCIB1, its DNA ImmunoBody® vaccine being developed for the treatment of melanoma, has been approved by the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee and by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Medicines Division. [Scancell Holdings Plc Press Release]
Article

Alnylam Scientists and Collaborators Publish Research on Key Mechanism for Delivery of RNAi Therapeutics with Lipid Nanoparticles
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the publication of pre-clinical research in the journal Molecular Therapy revealing key mechanisms related to the systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics using lipid nanoparticles. [Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release]
Article

Compugen Discovers Drug Target for Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Compugen Ltd. announced the discovery and initial experimental validation of CGEN-928 as a drug target for the treatment of multiple myeloma. [Compugen Ltd. Press Release]
Article

Geron Announces Positive Study Data on GRNCM1
Geron Corporation reported positive preclinical study data showing that GRNCM1, Geron's cardiomyocyte product derived from human embryonic stem cells, does not cause cardiac arrhythmias after transplantation into a model of chronic heart damage designed to test this potential safety concern.  [Geron Corporation Press Release]
Article

Argos Therapeutics Presents Phase IIa Data for Arcelis™ HIV Program Demonstrating Positive Impact on Viral Diversity and Viral Load
Argos Therapeutics announced the presentation of data from the Phase IIa trial of AGS-004, demonstrating that the personalized immunotherapy has a positive impact on the genetic diversity of residual HIV virus, and also results in substantially increased time to viral rebound in HIV patients treated with AGS-004 following antiretroviral therapy interruption. [Argos Therapeutics Press Release]
Article

Opexa Strengthens Tovaxin® Patent Estate Through Issuance of Key Patents
Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a company developing Tovaxin®, a personalized T cell therapy for multiple sclerosis, announced that two of its key patents have been issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, with a third patent expected to issue later this month based on a received Notice of Allowance. [Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]
Article

Johns Hopkins to Unveil Center for Biotechnology Education
The Johns Hopkins University’s Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Advanced Academic Programs, will unveil the Center for Biotechnology at its fifth annual biotechnology research symposium. [Johns Hopkins’ Center for Biotechnology Education Press Release]
Article

Back to Top

United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius Announces $1 Billion in NIH Recovery Act Awards to Construct or Improve Biomedical Research Facilities
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced one billion dollars of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds have been awarded to construct, repair and renovate scientific research laboratories and related facilities across the country.
Article

Notice of Intent to Publish Request for Applications for the Clinical Proteomic Technologies for Cancer Initiative (CPTC): Proteome Characterization Centers (NOT-CA-10-027)
Link

National Library of Medicine Independent Career Development Award for Biomedical Informatics (K22) (PAR-10-195)
Link

Back to Top

List of Establishments Granted Approval for a Variance to 21CFR640.3(d) and 21CFR640.3(f)
Link

Back to Top

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States)

Personal Gene-Testing Companies Need U.S. Clearance, FDA Says
Gene-test kits that promise to tell consumers their risk of Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer and numerous illnesses must be approved by regulators whether the tests are sold online or in stores, a U.S. official said.
Article

Roster of the Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee
As part of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) ongoing efforts to recruit qualified experts with minimal conflicts of interest who are interested in serving on FDA advisory committees, FDA is requesting nominations for members to serve on its advisory committees.
Article 

Back to Top