TOP STORIES

Survival, Neuron-like Differentiation and Functionality of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Neurotoxic Environment: The Critical Role of Erythropoietin
This study tested whether human mesenchymal stem cells exposed to erythropoietin showed a cholinergic neuron-like phenotype reflected by increased cellular levels of choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholine and muscarinic receptors. [Cell Death Differ]

SCIENCE NEWS

Aastrom to Initiate Second Phase II Clinical Trial for Treatment of Severe Chronic Heart Failure
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. recently announced that the Company will initiate its second clinical trial using its catheter delivery of Cardiac Repair Cells for the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy. [Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., Ann Arbor]

BrainStorm Stem Cell Therapy Technology Possesses Promising Potential for the Future Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. recently announced that the company's therapeutic approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases, particularly ALS and Parkinson's disease, was found to have a positive effect in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Petach Tikvah]

Phase 1/2 Results for Aldagen's ALD-301 Critical Limb Ischemia Clinical Study
In the study, researchers showed that the company's cell product ALD-301 was well-tolerated, and patients in the treatment group were shown to have increased blood flow and improved clinical status. [Aldagen, Inc., Durham]

Cytori Completes Enrollment in International Breast Cancer Reconstruction Study
The study is evaluating the use of cell grafting, from a patient's own naturally occurring adipose-derived regenerative cells, to restore functional and cosmetic deformities in women who have undergone partial mastectomy for early breast cancer. [Cytori Therapeutics, San Diego]

Animal Protein-Free Feeder-Independent Maintenance Medium for hESCs & hiPSCs by STEMCELL Technologies     WATCH THE TeSR™2 VIDEO

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Produce Reverse Remodeling in Chronic Ischaemic Cardiomyopathy
The researchers here tested the hypothesis that autologous mesenchymal stem cells can be safely injected into a chronic myocardial infarct scar, reduce its size, and improve ventricular function. [Eur Heart J]

Infusion of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells can Aid Hematopoietic Recovery Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Myeloablative Transplant: A Pilot Study
In this pilot study, the researchers evaluated the safety and efficiency of donor-expanded mesenchymal stromal cells infusion after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in six patients with poor hematopoietic recovery. [Stem Cells Dev]

Heat Shock Protein-90 beta is Expressed at the Surface of Multipotential Mesenchymal Precursor Cells: Generation of a Novel Monoclonal Antibody, STRO-4, with Specificity for Mesenchymal Precursor Cells from Human and Ovine Tissues
Due to the lack of mAb reagents having been described that can be used to isolate equivalent cells from other species, the researchers sought to generate novel monoclonal antibodies with specific reactivity against a cell surface molecule that is expressed at high levels by MSCs from different species. [Stem Cells Dev]

Downregulation of GATA-2 and Overexpression of Adipogenic Gene-PPAR{Gamma} in Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Patients with Aplastic Anemia
To elucidate the mechanisms of fatty marrow replacement, the researchers evaluated the mRNA expression for GATA-2 and proliferator-activated receptor-{Gamma} in mesenchymal stem cells from patients with aplastic anemia. [Exp Hematol]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Big Pharma Still Hungry for Biotech Deals
Even amid aggressive cost-cutting, many big pharmaceuticals companies continue to seek biotech acquisitions in the hope of finding new drugs to replace those lost to generic competition.

Stem Cell Collaborators Needed
The East of England Stem Cell Network has received an inquiry from a company keen to identify a partner to conduct joint R&D to explore the feasibility of using adipose-derived cells in a variety of areas.

POLICY NEWS

$1M Awarded to Innovative and Clinically Focused Australian Stem Cell Projects
Six projects have been selected for support from the Australian Stem Cell Centre's Strategic Development Fund which aims to develop and accelerate stem cell projects towards a well-defined commercial, medical or academic goal.

EVENTS

3rd Congress on Non-Hematopoietic Stem Cells
November 20-21, 2009
Tubingen, Germany

Stem Cells World Congress
January 19-20, 2010
San Francisco, United States

Molecular Tri Conference & The Stem Cell Meeting
February 3-5, 2010
San Francisco, United States

2010 Bone Marrow Transplant Tandem Meetings
February 24-28, 2010
Orlando, United States

World Congress Regenerative Medicine
March 12-14, 2010
Bangkok, Thailand

The European Group for Blood & Marrow Transplantation Annual Meeting
March 21-24, 2010
Vienna, Austria

9th Transgenic Technology Meeting
March 22-24, 2010
Berlin, Germany

American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting
June 4-8, 2010
Chicago, United States

16th Annual ISCT meeting
May 23-26, 2010
Philadelphia, United States

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Manager, Market Segment Regenerative Medicine (Sigma-Aldrich Corporation)

Technical Specialist (AABB)

R&D Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies)

Technical Support Representative - France (STEMCELL Technologies)

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