Jefferson Researchers Define Ideal Time for Stem Cell Collection for Parkinson's Disease Therapy
Researchers have identified a stage during dopamine neuron differentiation that may be an ideal time to collect human embryonic stem cells for transplantation to treat Parkinson's disease.

Plastic Additives Leach into Medical Experiments, Research Shows
A group of scientists warned Thursday that disposable plastic laboratory equipment - things like test tubes and pipette tips - may exude compounds that can interact with solutions or cells placed in them, leading to skewed results.

University California San Francisco Team Moves in on Mechanism in Stem Cell Growth, Possibly Cancer
University California San Francisco scientists have identified multiple members of microRNAs that enable embryonic stem cells to divide, and thus proliferate, much more rapidly than the mature, or specialized, cells of the adult body.

Multipotent Adult Germline Stem Cells and Embryonic Stem Cells have Similar MicroRNA Profiles
Despite the differences regarding time and extent of differentiation observed between embryonic stem cells and multipotent adult germline stem cells, expression profiles of both miRNA families showed similarities between these two cell types.

Regulatory Issues for Personalized Pluripotent Cells
The development of personalized pluripotent stem cells for research and for possible therapies holds out great hope for patients. However, such cells will face significant technical and regulatory challenges before they can be used as therapeutic reagents.

Pfizer Launches Global Regenerative Medicine Research Unit
Scientists at Pfizer Regenerative Medicine will explore the use of stem cells to develop future treatments that may prevent disability, repair failing organs and treat degenerative diseases.

Stem Cell Sciences Enters into Services Agreement with Huntington's Research Group, CHDI Foundation Inc.
Stem Cell Sciences plc recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with CHDI Foundation, Inc., to support the standardization of CHDI's novel mouse embryonic stem cell lines.

Sigma-Aldrich Enters Distribution Agreement With AlphaGenix, Inc.
Sigma-Aldrich recently announced a distribution agreement with AlphaGenix, Inc. and will now be the exclusive supplier of AlphaGenix-developed antibodies and research tools for the fields of regenerative medicine and stem cell biology.

Stem Cell Sciences Reinforces its International Patent Position in Stem Cell Technologies
Stem Cell Sciences plc announced that European patent no. 0695361 covering its IRES technology was upheld by the European Patent Office, and that the UK Intellectual Property Office granted UK Patent 2428041 for obtaining cells by episomal expression.

Massachusetts Cuts $10M from Biotech's Billion
The state has cut $10 million from this year's disbursement of its ambitious $1 billion in biotech industry and research incentives.

Missouri Judge Dismisses Stem Cell Research Lawsuit
A state trial judge dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday filed by critics of embryonic stem cell research who wanted to block $21 million in state funds from going to life sciences research.

Obama Reviewing Bush Orders on Stem Cells
US president-elect Barack Obama is reviewing President George W. Bush's executive orders on oil drilling and stem cell research and could reverse them, his transition chief said Sunday.