Stem Cells

Promoting Neurotrophic Processes, Cell Implantation Therapy

Stem cells present an exciting step forward in generating cells to replace areas of the brain damaged by PD. A number of sources and types of stem cells are currently being investigated to develop therapeutic dopamine replacement cells. Sources of stem cells include embryonic, fetal, and adult tissue. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are cells derived from adult somatic cells transfected with stem cell-associated genes through viral vectors to induce pluripotency.  These cells are like stem cells in their ability to differentiate into different adult cell types. Ongoing work continues to look for alternative sources of stem cells.

Image from Stem Cell Information, NIHImage from Stem Cell Information, NIH

Contributions:
Comment on Jaderstad et al. (2010)
Communication via gap junctions underlies early functional and beneficial interactions between grafted neural stem cells and the host.
Jennifer A Steiner, Lund, et al.
03 Mar 2010
In a study published last month in PNAS, Jäderstad and colleagues describe exciting findings suggesting a key role for gap junctions in mediating early signaling between grafted neural stem ... 
ESC v. iPSC: The difference is in efficiency
Can induced pluripotent stem cells be used to generate useful Parkinson's disease cell models?
Holli Kawadler, MJFF
18 Feb 2010
There are still a number of questions to consider when looking at using iPS in both regenerative medicine and disease modeling, as outlined previously. How similar are ES and iPS cells, can we ... 
Re: iPSC patents headed for a showdown?
MEMBERS' OPEN FORUM: for rapid-fire posting of your questions and comments.
James Beck, PDF
17 Feb 2010
Commercially, it seems there are two possible outcomes once the paper patent to be issued to Jaenisch is reviewed by the IP experts: the patent will be licensed (an apparent business goal of Fate) or ... 
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Research Questions:
Can induced pluripotent stem cells be used to generate useful Parkinson's disease cell models?
29 Oct 2009
The demonstration that forced expression of only a handful of genes can 'reprogram' adult human skin cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells (with properties of embryonic stem cells) has ... 
Responses: 7
Grant Opportunities:
Human Pluripotent Stem Cell (hPSC) Research Using Non-Embryonic Sources (R21)
11 Jun 2009
Brief Description:This Agency-wide Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is a Program Announcement (PA) to encourage new research applications proposing research on hPSCs from non-embryonic sources. ... 
Events:
ISSCR 7th Annual Meeting
14 Apr 2009
ISSCR 7th Annual MeetingJuly 8-11, 2009Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona, Spain ... 
Stem Cell Biology
24 Mar 2009
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory http://meetings.cshl.edu/meetings/stem09.shtml ... 
News:
Stem Cells and Genomics: The hottest topics in 2009
From The Scientist, here's a list of the 5 most-cited papers in 2009 - developed from data compiled by ScienceWatch. ... 
17 Feb 2010
Direct conversion of fibroblasts to functional neurons - iN cells
This week in Nature, Marius Wernig and colleagues demonstrate expression of three factors, Ascl1, Brn2, and Myt1l, can convert fibroblasts to functional neurons in vitro (iN cells), bypassing the ... 
27 Jan 2010
Responses: 2
NIH contract calls for Coriell to include iPS cells in genetic biobank
Philadelphia Business Journal - The Coriell Institute for Medical Research received a five-year, $27 million contract Monday from the National Institutes of Health for a human genetic biobank and new ... 
26 Jan 2010
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