December 13 2007
Visit Nature Reports Stem Cells online.
Now available at http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BU280Eb
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THIS MONTH IN NATURE REPORTS STEM CELLS
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November was an eventful month. First came the finding that embryonic stem cells could be made from cloned primate embryos; a week later came announcements that human skin cells could be genetically engineered to be virtually indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells. Meanwhile, advances continued apace. The International Society for Stem Cell Research hosted its first conference in China, attracting hundreds of scientists. (See our posting on the Niche.) Researchers in cardiovascular medicine debated how to apply knowledge toward therapies. And scientists from disparate disciplines pursue culture conditions better able to mimic what cells experience in vivo.
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAs0EC
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OUR TOP STORIES
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Achieving pluripotency in human cells
In October, we asked for feedback on how to tell when human cells deserve the label of pluripotency. Kyoto University's Shinya Yamanaka discusses experimental design where having a positive control is impossible. The University of Sheffield's Peter Andrews suggests that the term, like 'gene', might be more useful if it can mean a variety of subtly different things. Others offer the notion of a 'pluripotency score'.
The collective wisdom is on the Niche:
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjWx0Ed
Last month's breakthroughs reprogramming adult human cells and cloning primate embryonic stem cells, make the need to define pluripotency all the more pressing. Nature Reports Stem Cells has put together a collection of relevant articles.
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAb0Et
Primate cells cloned by nuclear transfer
In a feature, scientists discuss what made cloning monkey stem cells possible and current attempts in humans.
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAc0Eu
In an exclusive for Nature Reports Stem Cells, peer reviewers critique the Nature paper that described how 304 monkey oocytes yielded 35 blastocysts and 2 cell lines
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAd0Ev
Other top stories
Affairs of the heart
At the NIH meeting on cardiovascular regenerative medicine, researchers debate what cells, if any, can heal
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAe0Ew
Thinking in three dimensions
Some stem cell researchers think conventional culture falls flat
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAf0Ex
Enjoy our short articles keying off individual research publications
Adult cells reprogrammed to pluripotency, without tumors
A trio of papers shows how introduced genes can send human cells to an embryonic state
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAg0Ey
Muscle stem cells mend damaged mouse hearts
Key protein could help to keep the heart in rhythm
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAh0Ez
Stem cell lines make the grade
Clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell lines generated
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAi0E1
Telomeres lengthen during early embryonic development
The mechanism may underlie reprogramming of somatic cells
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAj0E2
New stem cell line shows roots of retardation
Differentiation holds clue to fragile X syndrome
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAk0E3
More gene addition
The ROSA26 locus provides a platform for adding genes to human embryonic stem cells
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAl0E4
On the crest of success
Researchers have isolated neural crest cells from human embryonic stem cells
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAm0E5
Clearing a patch for hematopoiesis
Antibodies could be gentler than drugs for stem-cell transplants
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAn0E6
Cells mend damaged mouse hearts
Key protein could help to keep the heart in rhythm
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAh0Ez
Reprogrammed cells cure sickle cell anemia in mice
Proof of concept presented for iPS cells therapeutic value
http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAo0E7
Got an opinion to share? Let us know at theniche@nature.com
Nature Reports Stem Cells is an interactive forum for stem cell scientists and other stakeholders to communicate about the research, policy, ethics, business and medicine of stem cell science. And it's all free!
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PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
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Nature Reports Stem Cells is pleased to acknowledge financial support from our Principal Sponsor.
Advanced Cell Technology
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (OTCBB: ACTC) is a biotechnology company applying human embryonic stem ("ES") cell technology in the field of regenerative medicine with the goal of bringing effective, patient-specific therapies to the bedside. The company owns or licenses over 300 patents and patent applications and plans to use its proprietary technology to develop treatments for indications including dermal injuries, macular degeneration, and blood and cardiovascular diseases.
Sponsor profile: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAp0E8
Sponsor's article: http://ealerts.nature.com/cgi-bin24/DM/y/eh4n0Xztnp0JEp0BjAq0EA
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