Our aim at the Australian Stem Cell Centre is to keep you
informed about the latest developments across the stem cell field
including recent highlights in research, clinical translation and
relevant policy and regulations.
We value your suggestions and contributions. If you wish to make a contribution please email us at info@stemcellcentre.edu.au.
STEM CELL RESEARCH NEWS
INDUSTRY NEWS
POLICY, REGULATION & ETHICS NEWS
EVENTS
Stem Cell Research News
iPS CELLS NOT YET EQUIVALENT TO hES CELLS
For human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to reach their full potential, it needs to be understood how efficiently they may be turned into different types of functional cells. This work is already well advanced for human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and in a new study from the University of Wisconsin the differentiation abilities of hESCs and iPS cells to form neurons was compared. The study suggests that iPS cells are not as predictable as ES cells in their differentiation patterns, which may cast doubt on their usefulness in a clinical setting. In several interviews, the authors noted that this is likely to be a technical hurdle that will be quickly overcome when iPS cell generation is further optimised.
Read more - Neural differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells follows developmental principles but with variable potency. Hu BY, Weick JP, Yu J, Ma LX, Zhang XQ, Thomson JA and Zhang SC, PNAS Advance Online Publication, (19 January 2010) doi:10.1073/pnas.0910012107, with commentary from Science Daily or read the media release.
STEM CELL LINES – A MATTER OF RECORD
Despite the high profile of hESC research, there is limited information on the number of hESC lines available globally and their research applications. Researchers in Berlin collated data on a number of publicly disclosed hESC lines to analyse their impact on international research. A number of interesting results were observed, for example of at least 1071 original hESC lines derived, only a fraction are thoroughly characterised. The data also demonstrated the global predominance of a few hESC lines in research and revealed remarkable country specific differences. The most common application of hESC cell lines is for research into cystic fibrosis. Additionally, a comparison of hESC and iPS cell application did not show a diminished role for hESC research.
Read more - Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines and their Use in International Research. Löser P, Schirm J, Guhr A, Wobus AM and Kurtz A. Stem Cells, (21 December 2009) doi: 10.1002/stem.286 (subscription may be required).
PHOTORECEPTORS DERIVED FROM HUMAN iPS CELLS
Photoreceptor cell replacement therapy is an exciting prospect for people with inherited and acquired retinal degenerations who are suffering from visual impairments. Researchers from the University of Washington have published results showing they have been able to derive photoreceptors from iPS cells. Importantly, they also found when the iPS cell derived photoreceptors were implanted into mouse retinas, they were able to integrate and express photoreceptor markers.
Read more - Generation, Purification and Transplantation of Photoreceptors Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Lamba DA, McUsic A,. Hirata RK, Wang PR, Russell D and Reh RA. PLoS ONE Online Publication, (20 January 2010) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008763.
FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA IPS CELL LINES
Scientists from Melbourne University and the Monash Institute of Medical Research have made a breakthrough in the hunt for a cure for Friedreich's ataxia, a genetic disease with no known treatment that causes slow nerve degeneration. They have made pluripotent stem cells from the skin of Friedreich's ataxia sufferers, which will hopefully lead to a greater understanding of the disease. Disease specific iPS cells may also prove useful for drug screening. Read more from The Age.
STEM CELL CAPSULES TO TARGET BROKEN BONES
A new way of delivering stem cells could one day lead to a single injection to mend broken or diseased bones and joints. Dr Frank Caruso of the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the University of Melbourne and colleagues designed a capsule made of synthetic polymers, impregnated with growth factors that are mixed with mouse emrbryonic stem cells in an alginate gel. The tiny capsules - ranging from about 100 nanometres to tens of microns were injected into animals and demonstrated that they can stimulate bone regrowth.
Read more - Active multilayered capsules for in vivo bone formation. Facca S, Cortez C, Mendoza-Palomares C, ,Messadeq N, .Dierich A, Johnston APR, Mainard D, Voegel JC, Caruso F and Benkirane-Jessel N, PNAS Advanced online publication, (7 December 2009) doi:10.1073/pnas.0908531107, with commentary from the ABC online.
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ReNEURON RECEIVES APPROVAL TO COMMENCE LANDMARK STROKE CLINICAL TRIAL IN UK
The UK's Gene Therapy Advisory Committee has given approval for ReNeuron's proposed first-in-human clinical trial with its ReN001 stem cell therapy for stroke. This approval represents the final national regulatory step in taking the ReN001 therapy into patients in the UK, following regulatory approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) last year. This trial will be the first time that brain-derived stem cells - originally isolated from a human fetus - have been used to treat stroke patients. The trial will involve 12 patients and will take place at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital in Scotland. The trial is designed primarily to test the safety profile of ReN001 in ischaemic stroke patients at a range of cell doses, but a number of efficacy measures will also be evaluated over the course of the trial. Read the media release and commentary from Nature Blog.
Read more – ReNeuron's media release and commentary from Nature's blog The Great Beyond.
FATE THERAPEUTICS AWARDED FIRST US iPS CELL PATENT
Fate Therapeutics Inc (USA) has received a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for a patent entitled 'Methods for Reprogramming Somatic Cells.' The patent will cover foundational iPS cell technology for identifying agents that enable the reprogramming of human somatic cells, including pluripotency genes, small molecules and biologics. The patent is based on the invention of Dr Rudolf Jaenisch, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, even though Shinya Yamanaka, Kyoto University was the first to create iPS cells and James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin also developed a method. Jaenisch claims that the idea was conceived first by his laboratory. This development worries some who fear the beginning of a patent war but Fate Therapeutics' CEO, Paul Grayson, is delighted.
Read more – Fate Therapeutics media release and commentary from Business Week.
USING CELL LINES FOR DRUG SCREENING
Stem cell lines can be used for drug identification screening and may provide a number of key advantages over other methods, including using cells from rodents or non-specific human tissues. Nature News is reporting that the drug industry is keener on stem-cell technologies than ever before with several partnerships being recently announced. Roche announced a deal with Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital, Pfizer and GE Healthcare have signed deals aiming to use stem cells in drug discovery with Novocell and Geron respectively. GlaxoSmithKline teamed up with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute for research in neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases and obesity and AstraZeneca began collaborating with Cellartis to use stem cells to make human liver and heart cells for safety tests. Read more from Nature News (subscription needed).
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Policy, Regulation & Ethics News
UK FORMS 10 YEAR BLOOD STEM CELL STRATEGY
The UK's Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron has asked NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to lead a team of experts in creating a new 10-year strategy for the provision of blood stem cells, including those from cord blood to fight leukaemias and other blood disorders. The group will carry out the first UK-wide, expert-led review to ensure blood stem cells from adult donors or cord blood is available for patients requiring transplants. The strategic review will bring together the UK's leading experts and organisations working in this ground breaking field of science and medicine under the leadership of NHSBT. Read the media release.
STEM CELL TOURISM ON THE RISE
In a recent research paper, scientists have attempted to quantify and characterise the patients who have undergone stem cell therapies offered by offshore clinics. While the subject of stem cell tourism has garnered considerable interest, very little data exists about the patients who undergo such treatments. Through analysing a number of patient blogs on the subject the researchers found that unproven stem cell therapies are increasing rapidly in popularity and are attracting a wide range of patients – both young and old and with a diverse collection of medical conditions.
Read more - Tracking the rise of stem cell tourism. Ryan KA, Sanders AN, Wang DD, Levine AD, Regenerative Medicine, (January 2010) doi: 10.2217/rme.09.70 (subscription needed).
TGA AMENDMENTS BILL
The Australian Government has agreed to proceed with the development and implementation of a new regulatory framework, known as the Biologicals framework for human cell and tissue therapies and other emerging biological therapies such as stem cell therapies. Currently some biologicals are excluded from regulation. Others are exempt from aspects of regulation or are regulated as medicines or devices. The proposed Biologicals framework is being implemented to regulate many of these products. The Framework is now before the Australian parliament as part of the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2009 Measures No. 3) Bill 2009.
Follow the Bill's passage here, or read more on the TGA's website.
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Events
ASCC iPS WORKSHOP
AIBN, University of Queensland, May 3-21, 2010
The Stemcore induced pluripotent stem cell workshop is aimed at giving participants both practical experience with generation, identification and analysis of iPS cells (optional practical component) and to provide theoretical background of the fast developing field of iPS cell research (lecture component).
For more information, click here, for online registration, click here.
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AusBiotech 2010 National Conference - Call for Papers & Partnership Opportunities Available
AusBiotech is now calling for session and speaker proposals from AusBiotech members and the broader biotechnology industry for the AusBiotech 2010 national conference.
International Fulbright Science & Technology PhD Scholarship
The Australian-American Fulbright Commission announces a new Scholarship opportunity for an Australian graduate.
Crawford Fund Fellowship for 2010
The Crawford Fund is now calling for nominations for its Crawford Fund Fellowship for 2010.
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