ScienceDaily (Oct. 26, 2012) The ability of embryonic stem cells to differentiate into different types of cells with different functions is regulated and maintained by a complex series of chemical interactions, which are not well understood. Learning more about this process could prove useful for stem cell-based therapies down the road. New research from a team led by Carnegie's Yixian Zheng zeroes in on the process by which stem cells maintain their proper undifferentiated state. Their results are published in Cell October 26. Embryonic stem cells go through a process called self-renewal, wherein they undergo multiple cycles of division while not differentiating into any other type of cells. This process is dependent on three protein networks, which guide both self-renewal and eventual differentiation. But the integration of these three networks has remained a mystery. Using a combination of genetic, protein-oriented and physiological approaches involving mouse embryonic stem cells, the team -- which also included current and former Carnegie scientists Junling Jia, Xiaobin Zheng, Junqi Zhang, Anying Zhang, and Hao Jiang -- uncovered a mechanism that integrates all three networks involved in embryonic stem cell self-renewal and provide a critical missing link to understanding this process. The key is a protein … Continue reading →

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT; OTCBB: ACTC), a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, announced today that chairman and CEO Gary Rabin will present at the 2012 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesas Investor and Partnering Forum, Oct. 29 and 30 in La Jolla, California. In his presentation, Mr. Rabin will provide an overview of ACTs ocular programs. The presentation will be webcast by theAlliance for Regenerative Medicinein the weeks following the conference. The following are specific details regarding ACTs presentation at the conference: About the Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesas Investor and Partnering Forum The Investor and Partnering Forum is being organized by the Sanford Consortium, CIRM and The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) to facilitate translational research, promote engagement between the scientific and business communities and provide opportunities for business, academic research and investor participants to connect in one-on-one strategic partnering meetings. To learn more or to register for the 2011 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa Symposium and Investor & Partnering Forum, please visit http://www.stemcellmeetingonthemesa.com. About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., is a biotechnology company applying cellular technology in the field of regenerative medicine. For more information, visit http://www.advancedcell.com. … Continue reading →

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 25, 2012) - International Stem Cell Corporation ( OTCQB : ISCO ) (www.internationalstemcell.com) ("ISCO" or "the Company"), a California-based biotechnology company focused on therapeutic and research products, today announced that its subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology (LCT), will begin selling products through Fisher Scientific, Inc.'s ("Fisher Scientific") online catalogue as an Encompass Preferred Supplier. Typically large pharmaceutical companies buy research supplies and products using preferred supplier agreements.Fisher Scientific is the world's largest such supplier to the life science industry with over 350,000 customers and $12 billion in annual sales. Their third party e-catalog sales have grown from $26 million in 2006 to $424 million in 2011 and represent a promising new sales channel for Lifeline Cell Technology's cell and media products. Dr. Simon Craw, ISCO's Executive Vice President of Business Development, explained, "This is a tremendous opportunity and a testament to the high quality of Life Cell Technology's products.By working with Fisher Scientific, LCT will be able to reach many more customers that we would otherwise not be able to reach.One of the biggest challenges we faced was the ability to sell into pharmaceutical companies that have preferred supplier agreements.Our inclusion in the Fisher e-catalogs and Encompass … Continue reading →

Bangkok (The Nation/ANN) - Thailand is fascinated with "roadmaps", but when it comes to life-or-death matters like regenerative science, the country has none. Shinya Yamanaka and John Gurdon cheered regenerative scientists around the world, including those working on stem-cell body rebuilding in private and public hospitals here, when they were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine on October 8. But looking back at the environment at home, Thai scientists sighed. Local development of the technique has been direction-less and under-funded. Stem-cell research has drawn attention from scientists around the world, including Thai scientists, ever since South Korea's Dr Hwang Woo-suk and his team reported that they had successfully created human embryonic stem cells by cloning in 2005. Even though much of this "breakthrough" research was later found to have been faked, many researchers and scientists in Thailand continued to follow their curiosity to discover how to effectively use stem cells for treatment. Over the past decade, stem cell-related research centres have mushroomed at public and private educational institutions and hospitals across the country, such as centres for heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, thalassemia and leukaemia. Already this year, at least three universities have reported success in … Continue reading →

Introduction We are in the midst of a major national debate on stem cell research. There are a variety of ethical and religious views on this issue, and these perspectives are important. But there are also practical and scientific issues. The Heritage Foundation recently hosted a panel discussion to raise and discuss these issues. This paper presents excerpts from the remarks of three speakers at that event. All three have expertise in the subject and regularly address the public policy questions involved in stem cell research. Kelly Hollowell, Ph.D., is a molecular and cellular pharmacologist and a patent attorney. Phil Coelho is CEO and Chairman of the Board of Thermogenesis Corp., which provides cord blood stem cell processing and cryopreservation systems used by major cord blood stem cell banks. And Representative Dave Weldon is a physician and represents the 15th Congressional District of Florida. --Robert Moffit, Ph.D. Kelly Hollowell, Ph.D.: Embryonic stem cells are the unspecialized cells that form the basic building blocks for all of the specialized cell types in the body. Researchers hope to treat human diseases by using stem cells taken from embryos. The primary sources for embryonic stem cells are aborted fetuses and the donated and … Continue reading →