In this issue: Science News | Current Publications |  Industry News | Policy News | Events Subscribe |  Unsubscribe TOP STORIES Finding the Right Connection after Spinal Cord Injury Scientists have demonstrated that regenerating axons can be guided to their correct targets and re-form connections after spinal cord injury. [University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego] SCIENCE NEWS Protein 'Tweek' Rare but Critical in Synaptic Process Recycling is a critical component in the process of transmitting information from one neuron to the next, and a large protein called Tweek plays a critical role. [Baylor College of Medicine, Houston] Scientists Track Impact of DNA Damage in the Developing Brain Switching off a key DNA repair system in the developing nervous system is linked to smaller brain size as well as problems in brain structures vital to movement, memory and emotion. [St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis] Testing Gene Therapy to Improve Brain Function in Alzheimer's Disease Patients Researchers are about to launch a Phase 2 clinical trial to test a gene therapy treatment for Alzheimer's disease called CERE-110, at 12 U.S. sites. [Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego] Adult Gut Can Generate New Neurons The adult lower digestive tract can be stimulated to add neurons to the intestinal system, according to new mouse research. [Columbia University, New York] Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community. CURRENT PUBLICATIONS Targeting Rat Brainstem Glioma Using Human Neural Stem Cells and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Based on the robust tropisms of neural stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells to brain tumors, the researchers compared the tumor-tropic migratory capacities of these stem cells and evaluated the therapeutic potential of genetically engineered human NSCs encoding cytosine deaminase and IFNß against brainstem gliomas. [Clinical Cancer Research] A Semaphorin 3A Inhibitor Blocks Axonal Chemorepulsion and Enhances Axon Regeneration This study screened a peptoid combinatorial library to search for semaphorin 3A inhibitors, and identified a peptoid (SICHI: semaphorin Induced chemorepulsion inhibitor) as a protein involved with neuronal migration and axon guidance. [Chemistry and Biology] Strategies for Inducing the Formation of Bands of Büngner in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration In this study, three principle strategies for inducing the formation of bands of Büngner were investigated: (a) an aligned extracellular matrix, (b) polarizing differentiation factors, and (c) microstructured biomaterial filaments. [Biomaterials] 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. Award-winning Researcher's Stem Cell Study offers Hope for Parkinson's Cure A researcher at Edinburgh University has been awarded £380,000 to create a special type of stem cell from patients with Parkinson's and their relatives. [Edinburgh University, Edinburgh] North Carolina Mayors to Talk Biotech North Carolina Mayors agreed to pursue priorities in several areas, including support for funding of innovation, educating citizens about biotech job opportunities and benchmarking best practices from communities around the state, according to an announcement that followed the closed-door session. Living Cell Technologies Raises A$4.2m from a Placement of Shares to Fund Clinical Trials of DIABECELL(R) Living Cell Technologies Limited announced that it has closed a private placement of share capital raising A$4.2m. [Living Cell Technology, Sydney] 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 Obama Enacts New U.S. Stem Cell Research Rules U.S. President Barack Obama directed federal agencies on Thursday to enact new rules governing federally funded research on human embryonic stem cells. Wisconsin Law Professor Tapped for FDA Job A University of Wisconsin-Madison law professor, Alta Charo, will work as a senior adviser in the Office of the Commissioner starting Aug. 30. US House Panel Backs Exclusivity for Biologic Drugs A U.S. House committee approved an amendment that would give brand-name makers of biologic drugs 12 years of exclusivity, dealing a setback to efforts by President Barack Obama and consumer groups to open the market to generic drug makers sooner. 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. EVENTS TERMIS 2nd World Congress August 31-September 3, 2009 Seoul, South Korea 13th European Federation of Neurological Societies Congress September 12-15, 2009 Florence, Italy World Stem Cell Summit 2009 September 23-25, 2009 Baltimore, United States Neuroscience 2009 October 17-21, 2009 Chicago, United States  Learn more about Neural 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