SEE ABSTRACTS: Scientists Reveal Changes to Embryonic Stem Cells Caused by Down Syndrome
Scientists investigating the mechanisms of Down Syndrome (DS) have revealed the earliest developmental changes in embryonic stem cells caused by an extra copy of human chromosome 21 - the aberrant inheritance of which results in the condition.

WEBINAR: High-Throughput Production of Size-Controlled, Reproducible Cellular Aggregates using AggreWell™
Thursday, September 18th, 2008
Host: Dr. Mark Ungrin, PhD. University of Toronto
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The TriMark Molecular Diagnostics Conference 2008
October 6, 2008
New York, New York
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The TriMark Stem Cell Conference 2008
October 20, 2008
San Fransisco, California
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Researchers Devise Means to Create Blood by Identifying Earliest Stem Cells
Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered the earliest form of human blood stem cells and deciphered the mechanism by which these embryonic stem cells replicate and grow.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells implanted in Mice With MS, Slowed Down the Disease
Transplantation of human embryonic stem cells into the brains of a mouse with multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly slowed down the clinical symptoms and pathological manifestations of the disease, Hadassah physicians and scientists reported last week.

DYRK1A-Dosage Imbalance Perturbs NRSF/REST Levels, Deregulating Pluripotency and Embryonic Stem Cell Fate in Down Syndrome
Using a transchromosomic model of Down Syndrome (DS), researchers in this study show that a 30%-60% reduced expression of Nrsf/Rest (a key regulator of pluripotency and neuronal differentiation) is an alteration that persists in trisomy 21 from undifferentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells to the adult brain and is reproducible across several DS models.

Activation of Human Embryonic Gene Expression in Cytoplasmic Hybrid Embryos Constructed Between Bovine Oocytes and Human Fibroblasts
To further characterize the system of cross-species somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), researchers constructed cytoplasm hybrid embryos between bovine oocytes and human fibroblasts and examined dynamics of human gene activation during preimplantation stages.

Soluble FLt-1 Regulates Flk-1 Activation to Control Hematopoietic and Endothelial Development in an Oxygen Responsive Manner
In this study, researchers used controlled oxygen microenvironments to manipulate the generation of hemogenic mesoderm and its derivatives from embryonic stem cells. This study reveals a novel role for soluble VEGFR-1 (sFlt-1) in modulating hemogenic mesoderm fate between hematopoietic and endothelial cells.

STEMCELL Technologies Launches Direct Distribution to Germany & Austria
STEMCELL Technologies Inc. a leader in specialty cell culture media, cell separation products and ancillary reagents for life science research, announced the opening of a new sales office on September 1, 2008 in Köln, Germany, providing direct service to Germany and Austria.

Advanced Cell Technology Announces Cost Reduction Program
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. announced plans to streamline and focus on its most advanced clinical programs as part of a cost reduction program designed to reduce annual operating expenses by $5-6 million.

Australia Stem Cell Research Puts Interstate Rivalry on Hold
Victoria and New South Wales have put aside their competitive interstate rivalry to collaborate on a stem cell research project, as announced by Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings and NSW Minister for Science and Medical Research, Verity Firth.

Researchers Tout Need for All Forms of Stem Cell Research
In light of a recent breakthrough study in adult stem cell research published in Nature, a group of the world's leading researchers, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), cautions against discounting the potential benefits of all forms of stem cell research, adult and embryonic alike.

Exceptional, Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration (EUREKA) Grants
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $42.2 million to fund 38 exceptionally innovative research projects that could have an extraordinarily significant impact on many areas of science.

State Sen. Tom George Says Michigan Stem-cell Ballot Proposal Limits Oversight of Growing Industry
State Sen. Tom George, R-Texas Township, said last Wednesday that if Proposal 2 were to pass on Nov. 4, it would make it difficult for the state to place future restrictions on the stem-cell-research industry.

Updated Guidelines for Stem Cell Research Released
The National Academies today released amended guidelines for research involving human embryonic stem cells, revising those that were issued in 2005 and updated in 2007.

Running Mate Differs on Drilling, Stem Cell Research
John McCain and his handpicked vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, differ on several topics, including global warming, drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and stem cell research.

FDA Seeks to Establish Branch Office in China
This October the FDA plans to open an office at the U.S. embassy in Beijing in an effort to implement a cost-effective, prevention-based approach to risk management.