In this issue:  Science   |  Abstracts  |  Industry News   |  Policy Subscribe   |   Unsubscribe    TOP STORIES Protein is Key to Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research have learned that a protein called Shp2 plays a critical role in the pathways that control decisions for differentiation or self-renewal in both human embryonic stem cells and mouse embryonic stem cells. SCIENCE Georgetown University Medical Center Researchers Show Adult Human Testes Cells Can Become Embryonic Stem-like, Capable of Treating Disease Using what they say is a relatively simple method, scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center have extracted stem/progenitor cells from adult testes and have converted them back into pluripotent embryonic-like stem cells. British Scientists to Create Synthetic Blood from Embryonic Stem Cells A major research project is to be announced this week that will culminate in three years with the first transfusions into human volunteers of "synthetic" blood made from the stem cells of spare IVF embryos. Epigenetic Mark Guides Stem Cells Toward Their Destiny In recent research, scientists at Rockefeller University have uncovered a gene-control mechanism that guides the development and differentiation of epidermal skin stem cells in mouse embryos and shown that this mechanism tempers the development of the skin barrier. What's Driving Specific Patterns of Gene Expression Among Cell Types? Providing another tool to help to understand gene regulation on a global scale, a nationwide research team has identified and mapped 55,000 enhancers, short regions of DNA that act to enhance or boost the expression of genes. The World's First 'Ice Baby' Grows Up It is twenty five years ago that the first baby from a frozen embryo came into the world. TriMark Point of Care Testing Conference 2009 May 11, 2009  |  San Diego, California Enter "CONNEXON" at checkout and receive 10% off registration. Visit here to register today. Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community. ABSTRACTS Comparative Methylation Profiles and Telomerase Biology of Mouse Multipotent Adult Germline Stem Cells and Embryonic Stem Cells This study the researchers comparatively analyzed gene-specific and global DNA methylation profiles as well as the telomerase biology of several maGSC and male ESC lines. FIP1L1-PDGFR{alpha} Imposes Eosinophil Lineage Commitment on Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells This study reports the molecular mechanism underlying the development of hypereosinophilic syndrome/chronic eosinophilic leukemia by FIP1L1-PDGFR{alpha}. Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Adult Human Testes The researchers report that using testes from organ donors, testis germ cells (putative spermatogonial stem cells and/or their progenitors) can be reprogrammed to pluripotecy when removed from their stem cell niche and when appropriate growth factors and reagents in embryonic stem cell medium are added. Trophoblast Stem Cell Maintenance by FGF4 Requires MEKK4 Activation of JNK Isolated MEKK4 kinase-inactive trophoblast stem (TS) cells cultured under undifferentiating, self-renewing conditions in the presence of FGF4 display increased expression of Slug, Twist and MMP2, loss of E-cadherin, and hyperinvasion of extracellular matrix, each a hallmark of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Neurogenin3 Is Sufficient for Transdetermination of Hepatic Progenitor Cells into Neo-Islets In Vivo but Not Transdifferentiation of Hepatocytes The researchers show that hepatic gene transfer of Ngn3 transiently induces insulin in terminally differentiated hepatocytes but fails to transdifferentiate them. The Hippo Signaling Pathway Components Lats and Yap Pattern Tead4 Activity to Distinguish Mouse Trophectoderm from Inner Cell Mass The present reports shows that transcriptionally active Tead4 can induce Cdx2 and other trophoblast genes in parallel in embryonic stem cells. Change in Gene Expression of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Derived from Parthenogenetic Activation Research from a previous study established parthenogenetic mouse embryonic stem cells and this study was subsequently conducted for elucidating the influence of oocyte parthenogenesis on gene expression profile of embryonic stem cells. Locally Applied Osteogenic Pre-differentiated Progenitor Cells are more Effective than Undifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Delayed Bone Healing This study investigated the regenerative capacity of autologous mesenchymal stem cells vs. osteogenic pre-differentiated cells after local injection into a compromised bone healing situation. INDUSTRY Virgin Mega-Brand Launches Stem Cell Bank in Qatar The country has lofty goals of becoming the world leader in stem cell technologies, and unlike in the West, Qatar does not face some of the ethical issues surrounding stem-cell research. Roche Acquires innovatis AG to Complement Its Product Portfolio in the Rapidly Growing Area of Cellular Analytics  Roche recently announced that it has signed a definite agreement under which Roche will acquire 100% of innovatis, a provider of automated cell analysis solutions. Stem Cell Researcher Stemgent Raises $14M Stemgent Inc. raised a $14 million Series A round this month, just as President Barack Obama has reversed the federal government's restrictions on embryonic stem cell funding. San Francisco State, Other Schools Get Stem Cell Grants California's stem cell agency has approved $17.5 million in grants to San Francisco State and 10 other state universities to train young scientists in embryonic stem cell technology. International Stem Cell Corporation Receives Third $1M Tranche under a $5 Million Financing International Stem Cell Corporation has received the third $1 million tranche of an anticipated private equity financing of up to $5 million to be funded over the next several months. Stem Cell Therapy International Inc. Announces Bridge Financing Obtained Stem Cell Therapy International Inc. announced recently that the Company has obtained short term financing, enabling the Company to update and finalize the merger between Stem Cell Therapy International, Inc. and the Histostem Corporation, Ltd. Rockefeller Receives New $4.8 Million State Grant to Fund Stem Cell Research Rockefeller University will receive $4.8 million from the state to establish new facilities for studying the molecular basis of how stem cells are maintained and how they differentiate. Pasadena City College Receives Nearly $2 Million to Boost Student Stem Cell Training Pasadena City College has received a nearly $2 million grant from the California Institutes for Regenerative Medicine to fund student training in stem cell technology and research. Rensselaer Receives More Than $2 Million From New York State To Fund Stem Cell Research Two groups of Rensselaer researchers each have received a $1.08 million grant from New York through the state's stem cell research initiative. Aastrom Biosciences Receives Notification That NASDAQ Further Extends Suspension of Certain Continued Listing Requirements Aastrom Biosciences, Inc announced that the Company received Issuer Alert #2009-002 from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. POLICY Obama Defends Decision on Stem Cells President Barack Obama said Tuesday that lifting federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research was the "right thing to do and the ethical thing to do." Critics: Stem Cell Bill Would Hurt Georgia Business Critics of a stem cell bill that passed the state Senate this week said it would brand the state as anti-technology even as it's set to host the world's largest biotech conference this spring. A Few States Buck Stem Cell Trend with Bans Days after President Barack Obama lifted limits on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research this month, the Oklahoma Republican state representative introduced a bill that would make much of such work illegal in his state. Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Dies in New Mexico House The New Mexico House of Representatives defeated legislation today that would have legalized the use of embryonic stem cell research in the state. Notre Dame Obama Commencement Speech Stirs Catholic Opposition More than 87,000 names have been added to an online petition launched by a conservative Catholic group calling for the University of Notre Dame to rescind its invitation to President Obama to speak at its May 17 commencement ceremony.  Learn more about Embryonic Stem Cell News:  Archives  |  Events   |  Subscribe   |  Contact Us This email was sent by: Connexon Creative 400-570 W. 7th Avenue Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1B3 Canada