In this issue: Science News  | Current Publications | Industry News  | Policy News | Events Subscribe |  Unsubscribe TOP STORIES Chinese Scientists Reprogram Cells to Create Mice Two teams of Chinese researchers working separately have reprogrammed mature skin cells of mice to an embryonic-like state and used the resulting cells to create live mouse offspring. [Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing] SCIENCE NEWS VIDEO: An Introduction to a New and Innovative Way of Making Uniform, Size-controlled Embryoid Bodies Stem Cells Used for 'Biological Pacemaker' Stem cells from a type of human fat tissue may one day be able to reverse the electrical problems in the heart that pacemakers now correct, Japanese scientists report. [Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine in Chiba, Chiba] Cardiac Stem Cell Patient Introduced Doctors with the University of Louisville and officials with Jewish Hospital Friday introduced the recipient of one of the world's first adult cardiac stem cell infusion to treat congestive heart failure. [University of Louisville, Louisville] Researchers Rapidly Turn Bacteria into Biotech Factories Using a novel cell programming method that retools evolution to generate genetic diversity at an unprecedented rate, a research team turned self-serving bacteria into efficient factories for making a variety of compounds. [Harvard Medical School, Boston] Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community. CURRENT PUBLICATIONS Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Single Blastomeres of Two 4-cell Stage Embryos To investigate potency at the 4-cell stage, the researchers aimed to derive pluripotent human embryonic stem cells from single blastomeres. [Human Reproduction] Dax1 Binds to Oct3/4 and Inhibits Its Transcriptional Activity in Embryonic Stem Cells In this study, the researchers searched for a protein that would interact with Oct3/4 in ES cells and identified an orphan nuclear hormone receptor, Dax1. [Molecular and Cellular Biology] Myocardial Interstitial Fluid Inhibits Proliferation and Cardiomyocyte Differentiation in Pluripotent Embryonic Stem Cells As an initial step toward understanding how the ischemic environment of host myocardium affects transplanted pluripotent cells, the researchers have taken a reductionist approach wherein murine embryonic stem cells are cultured in medium containing ischemic myocardial interstitial fluid. [American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology] MicroRNA 92b Controls the G1/S Checkpoint Gene p57 in Human Embryonic Stem Cells This study examines the role of an abundant, human ES cell-enriched microRNA, miR-92b, in cell cycle distribution. [Stem Cells] Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyogenesis: A Novel Role for Calreticulin as a Regulator Using cardiomyocytes derived from both calreticulin-null and wild-type embryonic stem cells, the researchers show here that cardiomyogenesis from calreticulin-null ES cells is accelerated but deregulated, such that the myofibrils of calreticulin-null cardiomyocytes become disorganized and disintegrate with time in culture. [Stem Cells] In Vitro Derivation of Human Sperm from Embryonic Stem Cells The researchers in this stud developed an in vitro strategy for establishing of male GSCs from human embryonic stem cells. [Stem Cells and Development] INDUSTRY NEWS Connexon Creative Launches Cord Blood News Cord Blood News is a weekly e-newsletter that keeps members of the cord blood community informed by providing the latest news from all areas of the field, including its science, research, policy, and business. Junying Yu, Leading Stem Cell Researcher, Joins Cellular Dynamics International Cellular Dynamics International announced today the appointment of Junying Yu, Ph.D., as senior research fellow. [Cellular Dynamics International, Madison] Mesoblast to Apply for Regulatory Approval of Its Bone Fracture Repair Products Mesoblast Limited recently announced that it had commenced a formal process aimed at obtaining licenses from the Therapeutic Goods Administration to commercially manufacture and distribute its adult stem cell products in Australia. [Mesoblast, Melbourne] Pennsylvania Researchers Win Fight Over Stem Cell Patent Two University of Pittsburgh researchers won a patent ruling over their discovery that stem cells gleaned from liposuctioned fat could be used to produce bone, cartilage and muscle. [University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh] POLICY NEWS Maryland Slashes Stem Cell Budget by Another $3M in Plan to Trim $700M Budget Deficit Maryland will cut its stem-cell budget for the fourth time in the past 15 months, as well as eliminate nine positions at its economic development agency, in the first phase of a cost-cutting plan approved Wednesday by Gov. Martin O'Malley. Shake Up in Australian Stem Cell Research As a part of the reshuffle, the ASSC has introduced four new foci for its efforts, called 'Collaborative Streams', which bundle together various research modules under an overarching theme. Canadian Government Reviewing Loan-Program Request For Biotechs The Canadian government is reviewing a proposal from an organization representing the country's biotech companies to help keep the industry afloat until the economy turns around. Germany Tightens Law on Stem Cell Treatments Treatments in Germany involving adult stem cells will be more closely regulated after revision of Germany's medical products law received final approval by the Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament. Church Weighs in as Uruguay Debates Stem Cells As Uruguayan Parliament considers going forward with embryonic stem cell research, the bishops of that nation are reiterating that an embryo is a human being with rights. EVENTS ISS Piran 2009 - Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine August 21-29, 2009 Piran, Slovenia TERMIS 2nd World Congress August 31-September 3, 2009 Seoul, South Korea 16th International Society of Developmental Biologists Congress September 6-10, 2009 Edinburgh, United Kingdom International Society for Hematology and Stem Cells 38th Annual Scientific Meeting September 9-12, 2009 Athens, Greece  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