TOP STORIES

Intraspinal Implant of Mesenchymal Stem Cells May Not Heal the Demyelinated Spinal Cord
Researchers from the University of Cambridge conducted experiments using animal models to see if the direct implantation of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells into the demyelinated rat spinal cord would be therapeutic and remyelinate the sheath surrounding the nerve fibers of the spinal cord in multiple sclerosis.

SPECIAL FEATURE

VIDEO: Breakthrough in Cell-Type Analysis Offers New Ways to Study Development and Disease
Researchers at The Rockefeller University have developed a method to reveal translational profiles by isolating the genetic messages that govern protein production in different cell types.

SCIENCE

Researchers have Identified a Novel Mechanism in the Regulation and Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells
University of Southern California researchers found that the protein receptor Ryk has a key role in the differentiation of neural stem cells, and demonstrated a signaling mechanism that regulates neuronal differentiation as stem cells begin to grow into neurons.

Stopping the Slow Decay from Brain Disease
Researchers at Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas have identified a group of chemical compounds that slows the degeneration of neurons, a condition that causes such common diseases of old age as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and amyotropic lateral sclerosis.

Yerkes Researchers Find Stem Cells from Monkey Teeth Can Stimulate Growth and Generation of Brain Cells
Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, have discovered dental pulp stem cells can stimulate growth and generation of several types of neural cells.

In the War Against Diseases, Nerve Cells Need Their Armour
In a new study, researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, and the Universite de Montreal have discovered an essential mechanism for the maintenance of the normal structure of myelin, the protective covering that insulates and supports nerve cells.

Plastic Additives Leach into Medical Experiments, Research Shows
A group of scientists warned Thursday that disposable plastic laboratory equipment - things like test tubes and pipette tips - may exude compounds that can interact with solutions or cells placed in them, leading to skewed results.

Hormone Shows Promise in Reversing Alzheimer's and Stroke
Saint Louis University researchers have identified a novel way of getting a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease and stroke past the blood-brain barrier where it can do its work.

ABSTRACTS

A Novel Calpain Inhibitor, ((1S)-1((((1S)-1-benzyl-3-cyclopropylamino-2,3-di-oxopropyl)amino)carbonyl)-3-methylbutyl) Carbamic Acid 5-methoxy-3-oxapentyl Ester, Protects Neuronal Cells from Cerebral Ischemia-Induced Damage in Mice
This paper indicates that SNJ-1945 inhibits the activation of calpain, and offers neuroprotection against the effects of acute cerebral ischemia in mice even when given up to 6 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion.

INDUSTRY

Pfizer Launches Global Regenerative Medicine Research Unit
Scientists at Pfizer Regenerative Medicine will explore the use of stem cells to develop future treatments that may prevent disability, repair failing organs and treat degenerative diseases.

Sigma-Aldrich Enters Distribution Agreement With AlphaGenix, Inc.
Sigma-Aldrich recently announced a distribution agreement with AlphaGenix, Inc. and will now be the exclusive supplier of AlphaGenix-developed antibodies and research tools for the fields of regenerative medicine and stem cell biology.

BioForce Nanosciences to Collaborate with University of Pierre & Marie Curie
BioForce Nanosciences Holdings, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has signed a scientific collaboration agreement with the University Pierre & Marie Curie and Centre National de Recheche Scientifique to develop technologies, protocols, and products related to neural cell-based assays.

POLICY

Massachusetts Cuts $10M from Biotech's Billion
The state has cut $10 million from this year's disbursement of its ambitious $1 billion in biotech industry and research incentives.

Missouri Judge Dismisses Stem Cell Research Lawsuit
A state trial judge dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday filed by critics of embryonic stem cell research who wanted to block $21 million in state funds from going to life sciences research.

Obama Reviewing Bush Orders on Stem Cells
US president-elect Barack Obama is reviewing President George W. Bush's executive orders on oil drilling and stem cell research and could reverse them, his transition chief said Sunday.