TOP STORIES

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Cord Blood Using OCT4 and SOX2
This paper describes reprogramming of cord blood cells to pluripotency by retroviral transduction of four (OSKM), three (OSK), and as few as two (OS) transcription factors, without the need for additional chemical compounds. [Cell Stem Cell]

SCIENCE NEWS

Soligenix Announces Initiation of its Confirmatory Phase 3 Clinical Trial of orBec(R) in Acute GI GVHD Agreement
Soligenix, Inc. has initiated enrollment in its confirmatory Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial evaluating orBec(R) for the treatment of acute gastrointestinal Graft-Versus-Host disease. [Soligenix, Princeton]

Stem Cells Offer New Hope for Kidney Disease Patients
The researchers found that stem cells derived from adult bone marrow are equally useful as embryonic stem cells in the treatment of Alport syndrome, a genetic kidney disease. [Harvard Medical School, Boston]

Presentation of Adult Stem Cell Study Highlights Promising Application of Autologous Stem Cells for Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury
DaVinci Biosciences LLC recently announced the presentation of their safety and feasibility study demonstrating the administration of autologous bone marrow derived stem cells for the treatment of acute and chronic spinal cord injury. [DaVinci Biosciences LLC, Costa Mesa]

Animal Protein-Free Feeder-Independent Maintenance Medium for hESCs & hiPSCs by STEMCELL Technologies     WATCH THE TeSR™2 VIDEO

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

Ex vivo Expansion of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells by a Small-molecule Agonist of c-MPL
In this study, the researchers evaluated the effects of NR-101, a novel small-molecule c-MPL agonist, on the ex vivo expansion of human cord blood HSCs. [Exp Hematol]

Overexpression of Rheb2 Enhances Mouse Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Growth While Impairing Stem Cell Repopulation
The researchers in this study examined, the role of the novel ras gene Rheb2, an activator of the mTOR kinase, in colony-forming ability, survival, and repopulation of immature mouse hematopoietic cells. [Blood]

HOXB4-Transduced Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Lin-c-kit+ and Lin-Sca-1+ Hematopoietic Progenitors Express H60 and Are Targeted by NK Cells1
In this study, the researchers demonstrate that hematopoietic progenitor cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells ectopically expressing HOXB4 fail to engraft long-term in the presence of NK cells. [J Immunol]

Reduced-intensity Conditioning Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation is a Potential Therapeutic Approach for Adults with High-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Remission: Results of a Prospective Phase 2 Study
The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the feasibility of reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in 37 adults with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first (n=30) or second (n=7) complete remission. [Leukemia]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Gamida Cell and Cellerix Partner on Feasibility Study
Gamida Cell Ltd. and Cellerix, S.A. announced recently that the companies are collaborating on a feasibility study to evaluate the added value of combining the proprietary technologies of each.

Gilbert Stem Cell Facility Near Completion
Arizona's first facility to collect stem cell-rich umbilical cord blood from hospitals in the state is nearing completion in Gilbert.

Qatar Science & Technology Park Cord Blood Bank Gives Boost to Regenerative Medicine
The bank, slated for opening in the third quarter of 2010 at Qatar Science & Technology Park, is to harvest stem cells from the umbilical cord blood of newborns.

Biotechs Back From the Dead
The financial crisis was supposed to annihilate small companies, but many survived.

POLICY NEWS

Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff: Investigational New Drug Applications for Minimally Manipulated, Unrelated Allogeneic Placental/Umbilical Cord Blood Intended for Hematopoietic Reconstitution for Specified Indications

Guidance for Industry: Minimally Manipulated, Unrelated Allogeneic Placental/Umbilical Cord Blood Intended for Hematopoietic Reconstitution for Specified Indications

2009 Meeting Materials, Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee

EVENTS

AABB Annual Meeting 2009
October 24-27
New Orleans, Louisiana

51st ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition
December 9-12, 2009
New Orleans, Louisiana

2010 BMT Tandem Meetings
February 24-28, 2010
Orlando, Florida

The European Group for Blood & Marrow Transplantation Annual Meeting
March 21-24, 2010
Vienna, Austria

Canadian Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium Annual Meeting
April 7-10, 2010
Vancouver, British Columbia

16th Annual International Society for Cellular Therapy Meeting
May 22-26, 2010
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Have we missed an important article or publication in Cord Blood News? Click here to submit!