TOP STORIES

Japanese Stem Cell Scientist Turn Stem Cells into Platelets
A Japanese research team headed by University of Tokyo Professor Hiromitsu Nakauchi announced this week that they had turned human stem cells into platelets.

Scientists Reprogram Induced Pluripotent Cells into Precursors of Eggs, Sperm
For the first time, UCLA researchers have reprogrammed human induced pluripotent stem cells into the cells that eventually become eggs and sperm, possibly opening the door for new treatments for infertility using patient-specific cells.

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Don't Go Changing: New Chemical Keeps Stem Cells Young
Scientists at the Universities of Bath and Leeds have discovered a chemical that stops stem cells from turning into other cell types, allowing researchers to use these cells to develop new medical treatments more easily.

Governor Rell, Hogan, Williams Announce Connecticut's First Two Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Created for Research Use
The University of Connecticut recently announced that UConn researchers have created two new human embryonic stem cell lines and are making the lines available to academic researchers to study the therapeutic potential of the cells.

Biologists Find Stem Cell-like Functions in Other Types of Plant Cells
Ordinary cells have the ability to replace lost organs in plants, a function previously thought to be limited to stem cells, researchers have found.

Australian First for Melbourne Stem Cell Scientists
Melbourne scientists have created Australia's first induced pluripotent stem cell lines.

Stem Cells and ABC Transporters Essential in Kidney Regeneration
Researchers have found that stem cells and ABC transporter proteins are indispensable for tubular regeneration after acute kidney injury.

Cloned Human Embryos Successfully Reprogrammed Using Human, But Not Animal Eggs
The research published recently demonstrates that although human-to-human clones and human-to-animal clones appear similar, the pattern of reprogramming of the donor human cell is dramatically different.

International Stem Cell Corporation Begins Pre-Clinical Trials on Human Corneal Epithelial Cells
International Stem Cell Corporation is planning pre-clinical trials aimed at applying its laboratory-grown human corneal epithelial cells to improve photorefractive keratectomy, a form of corrective laser eye surgery.

Stem Cells Used to Reverse Paralysis in Animals
A new study has found that transplantation of ependymal stem cells, reverses paralysis associated with spinal cord injuries in laboratory tests.

Generation of Transplantable, Functional Satellite-like Cells from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
In this study, the researchers report the successful in vitro induction of Pax7-positive satellite-like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells.

The Influence of Three-dimensional Nanofibrous Scaffolds on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells
In this study, the researchers examine the effects of nanofibrous architecture and biochemical cues on the osteogenic differentiation of embryonic stem cells compared to the more traditional architecture without the nanofibrous features in two dimensions (thin matrix or flat films) and three dimensions (scaffolds) in vitro.

Design, Fabrication and Evaluation of Nanoscale Surface Topography as a Tool in Directing Differentiation and Organisation of Embryonic Stem Cell-derived Neural Precursors
The researchers identify biomaterials that support appropriate embryonic stem cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation into embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursors.

The OP9-DL1 System: Generation of T-Lymphocytes from Embryonic or Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Vitro
This paper describes an approach providing a simple, versatile, and efficient culture system that allows for the commitment, differentiation, and proliferation of T-lineage cells from different sources of stem cells.

A Feeder-Free and Efficient Production of Functional Neutrophils from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
A novel, feeder-free hematopoietic differentiation protocol was established for highly efficient production of neutrophils from human embryonic stem cells.

A Novel Approach for the Derivation of Putative Primordial Germ Cells and Sertoli Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells  
Using human embryonic stem cells, the researchers describe a novel method for the rapid derivation and enrichment of cells that are comparable to primordial germ cells and Sertoli cells.

Generation of T Lineage Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells in a Feeder Free System
In this report, the researchers show that T-cell progenitors can be derived from hESC cultured as embryoid bodies.

INDUSTRY

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board Approves $7.4 Million Investment in Expansion of Organogenesis
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center announced recently that the Center's Board of Directors has approved a $7.4 million grant to Organogenesis, Inc. to facilitate a major expansion.

$2.2 Million Grant Approved for Program to Train Stem Cell Scientists
The governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine last week approved a $2.2 million grant to the University of California, Santa Cruz, to fund a training program in stem cell research.

Neuralstem Receives Final Notice of Allowance for New Stem Cell Immortalization Technology Patent
Neuralstem, Inc. recently announced that it has received Official Notice of Allowance for its patent application, number 10/047,352, covering the technology to immortalize any human neural stem cell, rendering its growth robust and long-lasting.

Politics Enters State's Stem Cell Research Program
On the cusp of a new era in stem cell science, Democratic heavyweights are pushing to install the outgoing California Democratic Party chief in a leadership post at the state's $3-billion research program.

$58 Million in California Stem Cell Grants Delayed
The governing board of the California stem cell agency is delaying $58 million in research grants at least until March because of the poor economy and credit market.

Beware a Scottish Stem Cell Brain Drain
America's new science policy could hit one area considered key to Scotland's future prosperity.