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Neural Cell News 3.39, September 30, 2009. Click here if you are unable to see images in this e-mail.

In this issue: Science News | Current Publications | Industry News | Policy News | Events

Snorting Can Deliver Cells to the Brain
Researchers have shown that when stem cells suspended in fluid are snorted, they rapidly migrate into the brain. [University of Minnesota, Minneapolis]

SCIENCE NEWS

Researchers Identify Protein that Repairs Alzheimer's Brain Damage
Researchers have identified a protein, vimentin, that normally appears twice in a lifetime - when neurons in the brain are forming during the first years of life and, years later when the brain's neurons are under siege from Alzheimer's or other neurodegenerative diseases. [University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford]

New Model Suggests How the Brain Might Stay in Balance
Researchers have developed a model to address how such a massively complex and responsive network such as the brain can balance the opposing forces of excitation and inhibition. [Rockefeller University, New York]

Alzheimer's Researcher Demonstrates Specific Immune Response to Vaccine
A researcher working on a vaccine for Alzheimer's Disease has demonstrated that it is possible to test and measure specific immune responses in mice carrying human genes and to anticipate the immune response in Alzheimer's patients. [Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, New York]

Schizophrenia Gene Linked With Abnormal Neurogenesis In Adult And Postnatal Brain
Two independent research studies provide fascinating insight into the molecular mechanisms that link disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) with the proper development and migration of neurons in the hippocampus. [Nagoya University, Nagoya]

New study resolves the mysterious origin of Merkel cells
A new study resolves a 130-year-old mystery over the developmental origin of specialized skin cells involved in touch sensation. [Rockefeller University, New York]

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

DISC1 Regulates New Neuron Development in the Adult Brain via Modulation of AKT-mTOR Signaling through KIAA1212
This paper shows that DISC1 suppression in newborn neurons of the adult hippocampus leads to overactivated signaling of AKT, another schizophrenia susceptibility gene. [Neuron]

The Effect of Substrate Stiffness on Adult Neural Stem Cell Behavior
To better understand the contribution of substrate stiffness to neural stem/progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation, a photopolymerizable methacrylamide chitosan biomaterial was developed and studied. [Biomaterials]

Induced Spreading Depression Evokes Cell Division of Astrocytes in the Subpial Zone, Generating Neural Precursor-Like Cells and New Immature Neurons in the Adult Cerebral Cortex
This paper set out to determine whether a subgroup of mature cells in the adult cortex has the potential to divide and generate neural precursors. [Stroke]

Skin-derived Stem Cells in Human Scar Tissues: A Novel Isolation and Proliferation Technique and Their Differentiation Potential to Neurogenic Progenitor Cells
This study established a novel culture system involving BMP-4 and a floating culture system with sphere producing medium that can enrich adult stem cell populations in vitro. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Buying Binge Hits Biotech Firms
That appears to be the new mantra for the Massachusetts life sciences industry, where the strengthening economy and rising stock market have sparked a small wave of acquisitions.

Johns Hopkins Passes $100 Million Mark in Stimulus Funds
The Johns Hopkins University has won 250 research grants, totaling $114 million, through provisions in the federal stimulus package designed to advance scientific and medical knowledge while jump-starting the U.S. economy.

POLICY NEWS

Von Eschenbach Takes New Job - Trying to Overhaul FDA
Former FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach has joined Newt Gingrich's health think tank, the Center for Health Transformation, as an adviser.

EVENTS

Frontiers of Neural Stem Cells
October 1-2, 2009
San Francisco, United States

Neuropeptides
October 14-16, 2009
Chicago, United States

Neuroscience 2009
October 17-21, 2009
Chicago, United States

Restoration of Neural Tissue and Function Workshop
Novemer 4, 2009
Washington DC, United States

The Biology and Pathology of Tau and its Role in Tauopathies
7-8 January, 2010
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Alzheimer's Disease Beyond Abeta
January 10-15, 2010
Copper Mountain, United States

Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference 2010
February 3-5, 2010
San Francisco, United States

Keystone Symposium B4 Stem Cell Differentiation and Dedifferentiation
February 15 - 20, 2010
Keystone, United States

ISSCR 8th Annual Meeting
June 16-19, 2010
San Francisco, United States

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