TOP STORY

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Cultured Human Malignant Cells
Investigators show that despite the presence of oncogenic mutations, induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human chronic myeloid leukemia cells acquired pluripotency by the expression of four transcription factors and underwent differentiation into cell types derived of all three germ layers during teratoma formation. [Blood]

SCIENCE NEWS

Experimental Stem Cell Transplant into Stroke-Damaged Brains Causes Tumors
The transplant of induced pluripotent stem cells into the stroke-damaged brains of mice results not in regeneration but tumor growth, according to recent research. [Press release from The Mainichi Daily News discussing online prepublication in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism]

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

Functional Hierarchy and Reversibility Within the Murine Spermatogenic Stem Cell Compartment
Researchers evaluated whether a homogeneous stem cell population of single spermatogonia supports spermatogenesis, and whether differentiation, which is accompanied by the formation of connected cells (cysts) of increasing length, is linear and nonreversible. [Science]

The Role of SMAD4 in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Stem Cell Fate
Results suggest that TGF(beta)/activin/nodal signaling supports the undifferentiated phenotype of human embryonic stem cells by suppressing bone morphogenetic protein activity. [Stem Cells]

Optimal Suppression of Protein Phosphatase 2A Activity is Critical for Maintenance of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal
Researchers hypothesized that protein serine/threonine phosphatase 2A may play a central role in the signaling pathways that regulate human embryonic stem cell self-renewal. [Stem Cells]

Tridermal Tumorigenesis of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Transplanted in Ischemic Brain
Researchers showed the induced pluripotent stem cells fate in a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. [J Cereb Blood Flow Metab]

Expression of Pluripotent Stem Cell Reprogramming Factors by Prostate Tumor Initiating Cells
Data suggest that prostate tumor cells expressing pluripotent stem cell transcription factors are highly tumorigenic. Identifying such cells and their importance in prostate cancer growth could provide opportunities for novel targeting strategies for prostate cancer therapy. [J Urol]

Global Transcriptomic Analysis of Murine Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Brachyury⁺ (T) Cells
The elucidation of transcriptomic signatures of embryonic stem cell-derived brachyury⁺ cells will contribute toward defining the genetic and cellular identities of presumptive mesodermal cells. [Genes Cells]

Spontaneous Reversal of the Developmental Aging of Normal Human Cells Following Transcriptional Reprogramming
Researchers set to determine whether transcriptional reprogramming is capable of reversing the developmental aging of normal human somatic cells to an embryonic state. [Regen Med]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Regional Stem Cell Center Launched by University of Colorado School of Medicine 
A new center at the University of Colorado School of Medicine promises to expand one of the frontiers of medicine - stem cell research and treatment. [University of Colorado Denver Press Release]

Robertson Foundation Donates $10.2 Million for Duke Cell Therapy Center
A $10.2 million commitment from the Robertson Foundation to create a state-of-the-art Translational Cell Therapy Center will advance Duke Medicine's pioneering cell therapy research and treatment programs for children and adults with cancer, cerebral palsy, stroke and brain injuries suffered at birth. [Duke University Press Release]

Organovo Names Marie Csete Executive Vice President of Research and Development
Organovo, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Marie Csete, M.D., Ph.D., as Executive Vice President of Research and Development. [Organovo, Inc. Press Release]

BioTime Gains Following New Regenerative-Medicine Research
BioTime Inc. shares hit an eight-year high after the biotechnology company, along with several collaborators, released early-stage research that appears to strengthen the case for an emerging field in regenerative medicine. [BioTime, Inc. Press Release]

The Automation Partnership (TAP) and AVISO Sign Second Distribution Agreement for TAP to Exclusively Market CellCelector™ in the UK and Ireland
The Automation Partnership announced it has entered into a second distribution agreement with AVISO GmbH, a major German manufacturer of automation for the stem cell market. [The Automation Partnership Press Release]

POLICY NEWS

Stem Cell Agency Draws Capitol Scrutiny - Again
Lawmakers are questioning the operations and culture of the state's stem cell program, which was created by voters nearly six years ago in Proposition 71 and has placed California at the forefront of stem cell research and development. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, United States]

Carl Wieman Chosen for White House Science Post
Physicist Carl Wieman has been picked to be associate director for science in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. [Office of Science and Technology Policy, United States]

Japan Maps Out Big Science Plans
For the first time ever, Japanese scientists have produced a roadmap of where they see major research programs heading in the mid-term, about 10 years out, and a list of large-scale facilities they will need to get there. [Science Council of Japan, Japan]

Instructions for Completion and Peer Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section in NIH Grant Applications and Cooperative Agreements (NOT-OD-10-027) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Recovery Act: Update on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Quarterly Reporting Requirements for Non-Competing Continuation Awards and Relinquished Projects; and Guidance to Avoid Common Errors (NOT-OD-10-065) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Recovery Act: Reminders on Annual Reporting Requirements and Notice of Revised Financial Closeout Requirements for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-Funded Administrative Supplements and Competitive Revisions (NOT-OD-10-066) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Recovery Act: Notice on the Proper Management of Recovery Act Spending to Promote Job Creation and Increase the Pace of Scientific Research; and Policy Limiting Second No-Cost Extensions to Recovery Act Grants (NOT-OD-10-067) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Request for Comments on Proposed NIH, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and Center of Disease Control Process Change for Electronic Submission of Grant Applications (NOT-OD-10-068) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Amended NIH Policy on Submission of Late Grant Application Materials Prior to Initial Peer Review (NOT-OD-10-070) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Modification: This Notice Modifies RFA-RM-10-001 (NOT-RM-10-005) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Modification to RFA-RM-09-019: Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award (U54) (NOT-RM-10-006) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Tissue Reference Group: TRG Annual Report FY 2009 Update [Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, United States]

April 12, 2010: Blood Products Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement [Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, United States]

EVENTS

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 101st Annual Meeting 2010
April 17-21, 2010
Washington, DC, United States

Society for Biological Engineering's (SBE) 2nd International Conference on Stem Cell Engineering
May 2-5, 2010
Boston, United States

World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2010
May 11-13, 2010
London, United Kingdom

16th Annual International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) Meeting
May 23-26, 2010
Philadelphia, United States

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) - European Union 2010
June 13-17, 2010
Galway, Ireland

International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 8th Annual Meeting
June 16-19, 2010
San Francisco, United States

United Kingdom National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) Third Annual Scientific Conference
July 12-14, 2010
Nottingham, United Kingdom

3rd Annual Stem Cells Europe Conference
August 24-25, 2010
Edinburgh, Scotland

International Society of Cell Therapy (ISCT) - Europe 2nd Regional Meeting
September 11-14, 2010
Belgirate, Italy

5th World Congress on Preventive & Regenerative Medicine (WCRM) 2010
October 5-7, 2010
Hannover, Germany

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) - North American 2010 Conference
December 5-8, 2010
Orlando, United States

Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.

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