Cell Therapy News Volume 9.14 | Apr 14 2008

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Stem Cells Made to Mimic Disease
Scientists have taken skin cells from patients with eight different diseases and turned them into stem cells.
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Cancer Stem Cells Created in Lab
Researchers at Stanford University have succeeded in transforming skin cells into what appear to be cancer stem cells, in a feat that could propel cancer research forward.
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New Study Shows that Fetal Cells Transplanted into the Brain to Treat Parkinson’s Disease May Not Function Long Term
Neurons grafted into the brain of a patient with Parkinson’s disease fourteen years ago have developed Lewy body pathology, the defining pathology for the disease, according to research by the Rush University Medical Center.
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Investigators Uncover How Stem Cell-Mediated Intestine Repair Can Create Tumors
Researchers discovered how cancer pathways can also control the adult stem cell population by investigating a mechanism which normally drives adult stem cells to repair the intestine.
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Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Reveals Earliest Step in Human Development
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have uncovered the molecular underpinnings of one of the earliest steps in human development using human embryonic stem cells.
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Joslin Study Identifies Gene Involved in Blood Stem Cell Replication, Movement
Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a gene that is responsible for the division and movement of marrow-derived, blood-forming stem cells, a finding that could have major implications for the future of bone marrow and blood cell transplantation.
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Newly Identified Gene May Prompt Pancreas Cells to Form
Researchers at Rockefeller University have now uncovered key genetic signals involved in how the pancreas begins forming, a finding they say might lead to regenerative therapies for patients with certain forms of diabetes whose pancreases no longer function.
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Molecule Delivery Method Improves Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
New research shows that delivering molecules within aggregates of embryonic stem cells via biodegradable microspheres enhances the efficiency and purity of differentiation, which is the process the cells undergo to become more specialized.
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Scientists Develop Technique to “Clean” Stem Cells
Scientists in Singapore have developed a strategy to “clean up” embryonic stem cells, which researchers hope can one day be used to replace damaged tissues and for other tailor-made personal treatments.
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Immunotherapy Could Prevent AIDS
The immune system can be primed to attack the HIV virus more strongly, making it fitter to fight off the incidental infections and immune breakdown that lead to AIDS.
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Embryonic Stem Cells Could Help to Overcome Immune Rejection Problems
Tissues derived from embryonic stem cells could help to pacify the immune system and so prevent recipients from rejecting them.
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China Experts Develop Shells to Preserve Cells Longer
Scientists in China have developed “shells” that can wrap around living cells and preserve them, and hope to use the technique in cell transplants to repair damaged human tissues and to battle cancer.
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Promising New Nanotechnology for Spinal Cord Injury
Northwestern University researchers have shown that a nano-engineered gel inhibits the formation of scar tissue at the injury site and enables the severed spinal cord fibers to regenerate and grow.
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Preliminary Study Performed on New Laminitis Treatment Technique
New study results generated from a research company based in Texas add to the body of evidence supporting the use of gene therapy to treat chronic conditions, such as laminitis, in horses and other large mammals.
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Pluristem’s Second Pre-Clinical Study in Ischemic Stroke Shows Statistically Significant Advantages in Functional and Anatomical Recovery
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced recently that the results from Fraunhofer Institute’s additional pre-clinical study utilizing the Company’s proprietary PLacental eXpanded cells in treating ischemic stroke showed statistical significance utilizing functional as well as anatomical endpoints.
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First in the World Treatment of Patient after a Heart Attack with a Special Stem Cell Type
Doctors at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital are the very first in the world to treat a patient following a recent myocardial infarction (heart attack) with a mesenchymal precursor stem cell injected directly into the patient’s heart.
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TaiGen Initiates Phase I Trial of the Stem Cell Mobilizer TG-0054
TaiGen Biotechnology Co., Ltd. announced recently the enrollment for the TG-0054 phase I trial under an IND  from the US FDA.
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From Bench to Bedside in One Year: Stem Cell Research Leads to Potential New Therapy for Rare Blood Disorder
A unique partnership between industry and academia has led to human clinical trials of a new drug for a rare class of blood diseases called myeloproliferative disorders, which are all driven by the same genetic mutation and can evolve into leukemia.
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Phase 2 Trial for Spinal Fusion Given Accelerated Timetable to Registration Trial
Mesoblast Limited recently announced that it will accelerate its clinical trial timetable towards commencement of a Phase 3 trial in spinal fusion by mid 2009 following encouraging preliminary safety data from its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial.
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Post-ISCF Clinical Grade Stem Cell Banking Meeting
April 19-23, 2008 | Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing
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ABSTRACTS, REVIEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS

Module Map of Stem Cell Genes Guides Creation of Epithelial Cancer Stem Cells
In this study, the researchers constructed a gene module map to systematically relate transcriptional programs in embryonic stem cells, adult tissue stem cells, and human cancers. This map reveals two predominant gene modules that distinguish ESCs and adult tissue stem cells.
Abstract

Donor Cell–Derived Osteopoiesis Originates From a Self-Renewing Stem Cell With a Limited Regenerative Contribution After Transplantation
In this study, the researchers conclude that a transplantable, primitive, self-renewing osteopoietic cell within the nonadherent marrow cell population engrafts in an endosteal niche, like hematopoietic stem cells, and regenerates a significant fraction of all bone cells.
Abstract

The ACTCellerate Initiative: Large-scale Combinatorial Cloning of Novel Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derivatives
Human embryonic stem cells offer a scalable and renewable source of all somatic cell types. Here, the researchers describe a large-scale and reproducible method of isolating a diverse library of clonally purified human embryonic progenitor cell lines, many of which are capable of extended propagation in vitro.
Abstract

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Stem Cell Laboratory Medical Technologist
Saudi Arabia (National Guard Health Affairs)
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Stem Cell Laboratory Supervisor
Saudi Arabia (National Guard Health Affairs)
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Quality Management Supervisor
Saudi Arabia (National Guard Health Affairs)
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Medical Director
Tucson, AZ (Cbr Systems, Inc.)
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California Institute of Regenerative Medicine Review Panel Makes Recommendations for Distribution of $262 Million to Build Research Facilities in California
The Scientific and Medical Facilities Working Group of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, after hearing extensive public discussion recently, made recommendations for the distribution of $262 million in stem cell research infrastructure funding.
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State of Connecticut Prepares to Allocate $9.84 Million in Stem Cell Research Funds
The State of Connecticut Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee recently directed the allocation of $9.84 million in stem cell research funds to investigators based in Storrs, Farmington and New Haven.
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Stem Cell Research Fund Survives Budget-Cutting Scare
Lawmakers cut $4 million from the $23 million proposed budget for the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, leaving the fund’s advocates with a sense of relief.
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O’Brien Plea for Stem-Cell Bank
Cardinal Keith O’Brien recently issued a radical call for Scotland to lead the world in stem-cell research that does not use human eggs.
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German Lawmakers Vote to Widen Access to Stem Cells
German lawmakers voted to expand scientists’ access to human stem cells, overcoming ethical objections in favor of promoting medical and biological research.
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Raven Biotechnolgies and Bioprocessing Technology Institute Announce Collaboration to Advance Discovery of Stem Cell Antibodies
Under the terms of the agreement, Raven will license its proprietary whole cell immunization technology for use with BTI’s stem cells.
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Targeted Genetics Acquires Rights to siRNA Development Program in Huntington’s Disease From Sirna Therapeutics
Targeted Genetics Corporation recently announced that it has acquired full exclusive rights to its preclinical Huntington’s disease program from Sirna Therapeutics.
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NextGen Acquires Pending Patent from Oxon Life Science Linked to Breast Cancer Stem Cells
NextGen Bioscience has obtained use, commercialization, and ownership rights of Oxon Life Science’s patent application related to cancer stem cells.
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BioSyntech Receives ISO13485:2003 Certification For Its Quality Management System
BioSyntech, Inc. recently announced that it has achieved international certification under the stringent and globally recognized ISO 13485:2003 Medical Devices Quality Management System for its site located in Laval, Quebec.
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Former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Roscoe M. Moore joins BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Advisory Board
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc, a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies and therapeutics, is pleased to announce the appointment of former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General, Rear Admiral Roscoe M. Moore, Jr. to the Company’s advisory board.
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NIH Announces the Posting of Updated Frequently Asked Questions on Financial Conflict of Interest Requirements for All NIH-Supported Institutions (NOT-OD-08-063)
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Revision of NIH Policy Concerning Concurrent Support from Mentored Career Development Award and a Research Grant (NOT-OD-08-065)
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Information for Human Gene Therapy Investigational New Drug Applications
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Information for Human Somatic Cell Therapy Investigational New Drug Applications
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FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (United States)

FDA Appoints Dr. Frank M. Torti to Senior Leadership Position
Commissioner of Food and Drugs Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D. recently announced the appointment of Frank M. Torti, M.D., M.P.H. as the FDA’s Principal Deputy Commissioner and first Chief Scientist.
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14th ISCT Annual Meeting

May 17-20, 2008
Downtown Miami, Florida

Full details at:www.celltherapysociety.org