In this issue:  Science   |  Abstracts  |  Industry News   |  Policy Subscribe   |   Unsubscribe    TOP STORIES Mount Sinai Hospital Researcher Makes Stem Cell Breakthrough Mount Sinai Hospital's Dr. Andras Nagy has discovered a new virus-free method of creating stem cells from a patients' own skin cells. SCIENCE Tokyo Team Develops Safe Way to Grow iPS Cells A Japanese team has developed a new method of growing human induced pluripotent stem cells that uses a gel chemical compound instead of animal cells. Stem Cell 'Fabrics' Promise Universal Tissue Embryonic stem cells can survive being spun into polymer threads - a technique that could be used to weave flexible synthetic tissues able to adapt to any transplant environment, say UK biophysicists. Protein Complex Shown to Play Pivotal Role in Stem Cell Development in Two Stanford Studies Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a protein complex important in controlling whether embryonic stem cells retain their ability to become any cell in the body. Cell Microenvironments Hold Key to Future Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Therapies Working with unique microenvironment micro arrays (MEArrays) of their own creation, researchers have shown that the ultimate fate of a stem or progenitor cell in a woman's breast may depend upon signals from multiple microenvironments. Technique May Help Stem Cells Generate Solid Organs The new technique neatly sidesteps a fundamental stumbling block in tissue engineering: the inability to generate solid organs from stem cells in the absence of a reliable supply of blood to the interior of the developing structure. World's Smallest Periscopes Peer at Cells from Several Sides at Once A team of Vanderbilt scientists has invented the world's smallest version of the periscope and is using it to look at cells and other microorganisms from several sides at once. 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 here to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community. ABSTRACTS Fibroblast-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Show No Common Retroviral Vector Insertions This paper describes by ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LM-PCR) the retroviral insertion sites in six induced pluripotent stem cell clones derived from mouse fibroblasts. SWI/SNF-Brg1 Regulates Self-Renewal and Occupies Core Pluripotency-Related Genes in Embryonic Stem Cells This study reports that Brg1, a chromatin remodeling gene, is required for embryonic stem cell self-renewal and pluripotency. Biphasic Induction of Pdx1 in Mouse and Human Embryonic Stem Cells Can Mimic Development of Pancreatic Beta-Cells Here the researchers describe a genetic approach that enables fine control of Pdx1 transcriptional activity during endoderm differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem cell. INDUSTRY The Medical Research Council Partners with the Californian Institute of Regenerative Medicine in its Disease Team Request for Applications The MRC is calling for proposals from UK groups active in the preclinical domain that can link to Californian research teams to establish high quality, multidisciplinary translational research programs. BioTime's Subsidiary Enters Agreement Adding New Embryonic Stem Cell Lines to Its Product Portfolio BioTime, Inc., announced recently that its wholly-owned subsidiary Embryome Sciences, Inc. has entered into an agreement with Reproductive Genetics Institute (RGI) granting Embryome Sciences rights to market new human embryonic stem cell lines selected by Embryome Sciences from 294 hES lines derived by RGI. FDA Removes Clinical Hold from Aastrom Phase II IMPACT-DCM Clinical Trial Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. recently reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has removed the clinical hold from the Company's U.S. Phase II IMPACT-DCM clinical trial and that patient enrollment would resume at the four initiated clinical sites. Stemcells, Inc. to Aquire Cell-based Drug Discovery Platforms and Related Businesses of Stem Cell Sciences plc for US$4.8 Million Stem Cell Sciences plc recently announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with StemCells, Inc. for the sale of the Trading Subsidiaries of the Company and certain ancillary agreements, assets, properties and rights for a maximum total consideration of approximately US$4,849,000. POLICY Stem Cell Research Supporters Offer Senate Bill Two prominent supporters of stem cell research said on Thursday they had reintroduced a Senate bill that would allow federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, in anticipation of President Barack Obama's support for the work. Bill Would Open Stem Cell Funds Up to All Maryland Biotechs The state's push to allow private companies to grab a share of its $18 million stem cell fund is igniting a battle between the state's largest academic researchers and its biotech executives. Sebelius: No Talks with Obama about Health Post Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, mentioned as a top candidate for health secretary, said Sunday she has not talked with President Barack Obama about joining his Cabinet.  Learn more about Embryonic Stem 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