Researchers Provide Definitive Proof of Where, How Blood Stem Cells are Created
Stem cell researchers at UCLA have proven definitively that blood stem cells are made during mid-gestational embryonic development by endothelial cells, the cells that line the inside of blood vessels.

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First Functional Stem Cell Niche Model Created by Stanford Scientists
Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have taken a significant step forward by devising a way to recreate a niche-in an adult animal.

Alternative Splicing Proteins Prompt Heart Development
Researchers have identified two proteins (CUGBP and ETR-3-like factors called CELF and muscleblind-like protein called MBNL1) that reprogram alternative splicing in the developing hearts of mice, affecting how the heart grows during the pre-birth and immediate post-birth periods.

New 'Control Knobs' for Stem Cells: Changes in Membrane Voltage Control Timing of Differentiation
Natural changes in voltage that occur across the membrane of adult human stem cells are a powerful controlling factor in the process by which these stem cells differentiate, according to research published by Tufts University scientists.

Largest Study of Fertility Patients Shows Concerns about Embryo Disposition
Fertility patients who are done having children feel responsible for the stored, frozen embryos left over from their treatment, yet more than half are against implanting the embryos in anyone else, according to a new study.

Biologic Properties and Enucleation of Red Blood Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
This paper shows that it is feasible to differentiate and mature human embryonic stem cells into functional oxygen-carrying erythrocytes on a large scale (1010-1011 cells/6-well plate hESCs).

Pluripotin Combined with LIF Greatly Promotes the Derivation of ES Cell Lines from Refractory Strains
This study reports an optimized highly efficient protocol by combining pluripotin, a small molecule, and leukemia inhibitory factor for the derivation of mouse ES cells.

Biphasic Induction of Pdx1 in Mouse and Human Embryonic Stem Cells can Mimic Development of Pancreatic Beta Cells
Here the researchers describe a genetic approach that enables fine control of Pdx1 transcriptional activity during endoderm differentiation of mouse and human ES cell for a basis in inducing and studying ES cell differentiation into insulin-secreting cells.

SWI/SNF-Brg1 Regulates Self-Renewal and Occupies Core Pluripotency-Related Genes in Embryonic Stem Cells
This study reports that Brg1, a chromatin remodeling protein, is required for ES cell self-renewal and pluripotency.

Genetic Analysis of the Role of the Reprogramming Gene LIN-28 in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
LIN-28's role, a gene recently shown to be involved in the conversion of somatic cells to iPS, was investigated in human embryonic stem cells by manipulation of its expression levels.

Derivation and Characterization of Canine Embryonic Stem Cell Lines with In Vitro and In Vivo Differentiation Potential
The researchers in this study describe the derivation of permanent canine cell lines from preimplantation stage embryos.

Products for Cold Storage of Embryos Approved in USA
Vitrolife is now the first company to have received approval from the American Food and Drug Administration for products within the fertility area used for the rapid freezing and thawing of cleavage embryos.

Novocell Announces Collaboration with World-Renowned Stem Cell Researcher Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University
Novocell, Inc. recently announced a collaboration with renowned stem cell researcher Dr. Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University, Japan, to allow Novocell to explore the creation of human islet cells from induced pluripotent stem cells.

Putting State Money to Good Use
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission recently announced that it had received 187 letters of intent from researchers vying for $18 million in state funds available from the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, which substantially survived the state's recent budget difficulty with a modest $1 million cut for fiscal 2009.

Lawmakers Divided Over Next FDA Head, Fixing Safety Issues
A top House Democrat is asking President-elect Barack Obama to avoid naming any current officials of Food and Drug Administration to lead the agency, even temporarily, reflecting a divergence of views on Capitol Hill on how to fix the FDA's problems.

Chair of the California Democratic Party's Next Job: Stem Cell Vice-Chairman?
Art Torres, the chair of the California Democratic Party, is building support to become the next vice-chairman of California's stem cell agency.

Missouri Stem Cell Research Critics Refile Lawsuit
Missouri critics of embryonic stem cell research have resurrected a lawsuit that seeks to block $21 million from going to life sciences research.