In this issue:  Science   |  Abstracts  |  Industry News   |  Policy Subscribe   |   Unsubscribe    TOP STORIES Scientists Discover Master Regulator of Motor Neuron Firing Findings at Rockefeller University reveal that one of the most important physiological events in the body - the wiring of motor neurons and muscles - is regulated at the level of RNA. SCIENCE Well-known Enzyme is Unexpected Contributor to Brain Growth Researchers have shown that the version of AMPK they disabled was essential to the survival of neural stem cells that create the central nervous system. Neuralstem's Human Stem Cells Integrate into Nervous System of Rats with Animal Model of ALS Transplanted human neural stem cells developed by Neuralstem, Inc. made synaptic contacts with the motor neurons of rats with ALS-like symptoms. Stem Cells Yield New Clues to Glut of Glial Cells in Down's Syndrome, Glioblastoma, and Alzheimer's Disease A newly identified molecular pathway that directs stem cells to produce glial cells yields insights into the neurobiology of Down's syndrome and a number of central nervous system disorders characterized by too many glial cells. Blocking Protein May Help Ease Painful Nerve Condition Scientists have identified the first gene that pulls the plug on ailing nerve cell branches from within the nerve cell, possibly helping to trigger the painful condition known as neuropathy. Studies Show AVANCE Nerve Graft Effective in Repair of Peripheral Nerve Damage Results from several studies involving animal and human models show that treatment with Avance(R) Nerve Graft supports nerve repair and restoration of function in the repair of peripheral nerve damage. Nerve Cell Experiment Soars to 31+ Kilometers An experiment testing the effects of space radiation on human nerve cells was successfully flown more than 31 kilometers high (about 99,000 feet) and safely returned to Earth by The University of Alabama in Huntsville Space Hardware Club. 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 Focal Laser-lesions Activate an Endogenous Population of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells in the Adult Visual Cortex In this study, the researchers investigate the response to unilateral focal laser-lesions applied to the visual cortex of juvenile rats. Astroglia Genesis In Vitro: Distinct Effects of Retinoic Acid in Different Phases of Neural Stem Cell Differentiaion In the presented study, the mechanisms of the manifestation of the macroglial phenotypes delayed behind the formation of neurons were investigated in vitro. Nuclear Transfer Embryonic Stem Cells Provide an In Vitro Culture Model for Parkinson's Disease Somatic cell nuclear transfer enables the generation of embryonic stem cells that genetically match the donor and can be used to treat disease through cell replacement therapies or to recapitulate patient-specific disease via in vitro differentiation. INDUSTRY University of California Merced Gets $4M for Campus Stem Cell Project University officials announced plans Monday to update the school's Science and Engineering Building for researchers who will examine stem cells at the single-cell level. NeuroFocus Expands Into the UK and Europe Through Acquisition of Neuroco NeuroFocus recently announced that it has concluded an agreement to purchase Neuroco. Sweet Spot for Roche-Genentech Deal Looks Like $95 Genentech's board is readying itself to agree to turn over the reins of the company to Roche for $95 a share. That's $2 more than Roche's offer that was increased Friday to $93 a share. ReNeuron Announces Fundraising and Conversion of Loan Notes ReNeuron Group plc announced recently that it proposes to raise up to 3 million pounds via a placing of up to 100,000,000 new ordinary shares of 1 pence each. California Stem Cell Agency Chooses Two Vice Chairs California's stem cell research funding agency has chosen two vice chairs: outgoing California Democratic Party chairman Art Torres and San Diego biotech industry insider Duane Roth. Drug Investors Lose Patience As merger mania plays out among the pharmaceutical giants, a different sort of financial frenzy has seized some small, struggling drug makers. Investors are demanding that stragglers close up shop and hand over any remaining cash. POLICY Barack Obama Reverses Ban on Funding Stem Cell Research President Barack Obama reversed the federal funding ban on stem cell research, placing a new emphasis on science within his administration and budget compared to his predecessor. VIDEO: Obama's Order on Stem Cells Leaves Key Questions to NIH President Obama's open-ended order lifting limits on federal funding for stem cell research raises the prospect that taxpayer money could be used for a much broader, much more controversial array of studies than many scientists, officials and activists anticipated. Stem Cell Decision Worries Some Scientists While praised by scientists, President Obama's decision to lift restrictions on federal financing of embryonic stem cell research could cause state governments and philanthropists to pull back on billions of dollars they have pledged for such work. Some States Push Back Against Stem Cell Research A showdown is shaping up in some of the nation's most conservative states over embryonic stem cell research, as opponents draw language and tactics from the battle over abortion to counter President Barack Obama's plan to ease research restrictions.  Learn more about Neural 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