TOP STORIES

Researchers Disclose Key Advance in Treating Spinal Cord Injuries
Researchers in Rochester, NY and Colorado have shown that manipulating stem cells prior to transplantation may hold the key to overcoming a critical obstacle to using stem cell technology to repair spinal cord injuries.

SCIENCE

Can Stem Cells Block Stroke Damage? Yes, But in a Surprising Way
Injecting stem cells into the brains of mice that recently suffered a stroke can reduce nerve cell (neuron) damage by up to 60 percent, according to new research.

Duke Medical Team Finds Genetic Link Between Immune and Nerve Systems
Duke University Medical Center researchers have discovered genetic links between the nervous system and the immune system in a well-studied worm, and the findings could illuminate new approaches to human therapies.

New Schizophrenia Pathway Discovered by Chance
Researchers at the Hopkins School of Medicine have unexpectedly shown that three separately identified proteins actually interact in a pathway that, when disrupted, plays a role in schizophrenia.

ABSTRACTS

Transplanted Astrocytes Derived from BMP- or CNTF-treated Glial-restricted Precursors have Opposite Effects on Recovery and Allodynia After Spinal Cord Injury
The researcher's results show that not all astrocytes derived from embryonic precursors are equally beneficial for spinal cord repair and they provide the first identification of a differentiated neural cell type that can cause pain syndromes on transplantation into the damaged spinal cord.

Expression Study of Cadherin7 and Cadherin20 in the Embryonic and Adult Rat Central Nervous System
The researcher's findings suggest that the expression of cad7 and cad20 demarcates the compartment/boundary of progenitor domains, specific nuclei and specific neural circuits during mammalian brain development.

Kinetic Analysis of Neurotrophin-3-Mediated Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Neurons
The goal of this study was to develop a kinetic analysis that could predict the behavior of embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells (ESNPCs) in response to treatment with neurotrophin-3 (NT-3).

Cytocompatibility of a Novel, Longitudinally Microstructured Collagen Scaffold Intended for Nerve Tissue Repair
This paper describes the cytocompatibility of a novel, micro-structured porcine collagen scaffold containing densely packed and highly orientated channels that, in three-dimensional (3D) tissue culture, supports attachment, proliferation, aligned process extension, and directed migration by populations of glial cells (olfactory nerve ensheathing cells and astrocytes) and orientated axonal growth by neurons (differentiated human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line).

Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions Regulate Neural Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
The researchers defined laminin as a key ECM molecule to enhance neural progenitor generation, expansion and differentiation into neurons from hESCs.

INDUSTRY

Celprogen Introduces Stem Cells in Syringes for In Vivo Applications
Celprogen Inc. recently announced that they have successfully validated shipment of embryonic and adult stem cells at room temperature within United States research facilities for in vivo applications.

Novocell Awarded Landmark U.S. Patents for Innovative Stem Cell Technologies
Novocell, Inc. recently announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued two patents related to its stem cell encapsulation technology and granted Notice of Allowance for a patent relating to the Company's technology for the isolation of clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell lines.

POLICY

Barrier to Bay State Biotech
With the prospects for new cures from breakthrough technologies like stem cells and RNAi stronger than ever, Governor Deval Patrick's recent signing of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative into law has provided $1 billion of hope for patients with life-threatening diseases.

Consumer Group Urges Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign Stem Cell Bill Into Law
In a letter to the governor, Consumer Watchdog states the bill would help ensure that the people paying $6 billion for stem cell research, the taxpayers of California, will have affordable access to the fruits of the research they are funding.

FDA Hires 1,300 New Doctors and Scientists
The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it has hired more than 1,300 professional staffers in a move that officials hope will help the beleaguered agency better protect the public health amid rapid technological and scientific change.