Safer Embryonic-Like Stem Cells Created by Harvard Researchers
The Harvard researchers using a type of virus called an adenovirus, commonly employed in gene therapy, ferried certain genes into ordinary cells and endowed them with the power to act like embryonic stem cells.

Transplantation of Vascular Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Contributes to Vascular Regeneration after Stroke in Mice
The researchers have shown that transplantation of ECs and MCs derived from undifferentiated human ES cells have a potential to contribute to therapeutic vascular regeneration and consequently reduction of infarct area after stroke.

Cardiomyocyte Production in Mass Suspension Culture: Embryonic Stem Cells as a Source for Great Amounts of Functional Cardiomyocytes
This paper describes a protocol producing a significantly higher than previously reported functional cardiomyocytes and highlights the enormous process optimization potential in the scalable generation of ESC-derived cell lineages.

1,4,5-Inositol Trisphosphate Operated [Ca2+]i Stores and Angiotensin-II/Endothelin-1 Signaling Pathway are Functional in Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
This study demonstrates for the first time that hESC-CM exhibit functional ATII and ET-1 signaling pathways, as well as 1,4,5-IP3-operated releasable Ca2+ stores.

A Sox1 to Pax6 Switch Drives Neuroectoderm to Radial Glia Progression During Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
This study concludes that Sox1 enhances neuroectodermal commitment and maintenance but blocks further differentiation. In contrast, Pax6 is involved in the progression of neuroectoderm towards radial glia.

Comparative Transcriptional Analysis of Embryoid Body Versus Two-Dimensional Differentiation of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells
This paper shows that GEL and MAT conditions resulted in a more similar to each other transcriptional profile than to the EB condition, and such differences are apparently related to higher nutrient and metabolite gradients and limitations in the EB versus the GEL or MAT cultures.

Patent Wars Hit Life Sciences, Says Study
The drive to accumulate and defend patents is stifling innovation, particularly in biotechnology and healthcare, according to a Canadian-led international study.

WiCell Research Institute Launches New Stem Cell Bank
The WiCell Research Institute is launching its own stem cell bank to distribute cell lines beyond the 21 lines eligible for federal funding and distribution through the National Stem Cell Bank.

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.

What to Do with Leftover Embryos in Fertility Clinics?
The majority of infertility patients are in favor of using left-over embryos for stem cell research and would also support selling left-over embryos to other couples, according to a recent survey.

CIRM Approves Program for Providing Loans to California Institutions
At a regular meeting of the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, the members voted to accept a policy for loaning money to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Nobel Laureates Line Up Behind Obama's Science Policy
Barack Obama's campaign recently laid out a detailed science policy, endorsed by 61 Nobel laureates.

Characterizing and Validating Cardiomyocytes Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells; Second Call-for-Proposals