Stem Cell Regeneration Repairs Congenital Heart Defect
Mayo Clinic investigators have demonstrated that stem cells can be used to regenerate heart tissue to treat dilated cardiomyopathy, a congenital defect.

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Embryonic Stem Cells Might Help Reduce Transplantation Rejection
Researchers have shown that immune-defense cells influenced by embryonic stem cell-derived cells can help prevent the rejection of hearts transplanted into mice, all without the use of immunosuppressive drugs.

New Method for Creating Inducible Stem Cells is Remarkably Efficient
Two independent research papers, published by Cell Press in the September 11th issue of the journal Cell Stem Cell, describe new tools that provide invaluable platforms for elucidating the molecular, genetic, and biochemical mechanisms associated with reprogramming. The new findings also offer considerable hope toward making the reprogramming process more therapeutically relevant.

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Secretions Minimized Tissue Injury After Heart Attack
A novel way to improve survival and recovery rate after a heart attack was reported in the journal Stem Cell Research by scientists at Singapore's Institute of Medical Biology (IMB) and Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) and The Netherlands' University Medical Center Utrecht. This method, developed in laboratory research with pigs, is the first non-cell based therapeutic application of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

HSV-Mediated Expression of Pax3 and MyoD in Embryoid Bodies Results in Lineage-Related Alterations in Gene Expression Profiles
In this study, researchers designed a high efficiency replication defective herpes simplex virus gene transfer vector, JD, for determining whether a vector delivery system could provide robust and transient expression of the transcription factors Pax3 and MyoD for the dissection of complex events in lineage determination.

A Developmentally-regulated Heparan Sulfate Epitope Defines a Sub-population with Increased Blood Potential During Mesodermal Differentiation
Using a panel of HS-specific antibodies, researchers have identified a unique heparan sulfate (HS) epitope recognized by antibody HS4C3 that is selectively expressed during differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells along the mesodermal lineage to the hemangioblast stage.

Massachusetts Stem Cell Registry Debuts
A $570,000 grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center helped to create the International Stem Cell Registry, which is intended to act as an online resource on human embryonic stem cells for both academic and private sector biomedical research.

San Diego Stem Cell Consortium Gets $30 Million Gift
T. Denny Sanford, a South Dakota businessman who is one of the nation's most generous philanthropists, is putting his money behind something that is illegal in his home state: embryonic stem cell research.

Geron Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent for Cardiomyocytes From Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Geron Corporation announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,425,448, with broad claims to cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The patent runs until at least April 2025.

Japan University Gets Patent for Stem Cell Breakthrough
Japan has given Kyoto University a patent for groundbreaking stem cell research in what is believed to be a world first.

Australian Stem Cell Centre's Work to Go On
The reassurance comes after the centre's board resigned en masse last week and revealed the organization - Australia's only centre of excellence in the biotech sector - would not be financially viable by 2011.

Medical College of Wisconsin Receives Grant to Develop Stem Cells for Treatment of Heart Complications
The Medical College of Wisconsin has received a two-year, $416,625 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to develop stem cell-based therapies to treat portions of the heart that have died from a heart attack.

Gregoire, Rossi Far Apart on Social Issues
Few things demonstrate the political gulf between Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire and Republican Dino Rossi more than their stances on social issues, including embryonic stem cell research.

Biden Faults Palin on Stem Cells
Sen. Joe Biden brought a sensitive social issue to the fore of the presidential campaign last Tuesday, by suggesting that opposition to stem-cell research signals less dedication to people with disabilities.

US National Academies Release Amended Version of Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research
The National Academies released amended guidelines for research involving human embryonic stem cells, revising those that were issued in 2005 and updated in 2007.

Advocates Worry McCain Support for Embryonic Research May Waver
Despite Sen. John McCain's recent votes in favor of embryonic stem cell research, some advocates are worried he wouldn't be as supportive in the Oval Office as he was in the Senate chamber.

Concept Paper: Animal Models - Essential Elements to Address Efficacy Under the Animal Rule