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Recent press releases relevant to stem cell research and regenerative medicine in Europe.

A new short cut for stem cell programming

Embargoed until (GMT): 
22 Mar 2012 - 4:00pm UTC

Researchers at the University of Bonn artificially derive brain stem cells directly from the connective tissue of mice

Scientists at the Life & Brain Research Center at the University of Bonn, Germany, have succeeded in directly generating brain stem cells from the connective tissue cells of mice. These stem cells can reproduce and be converted into various types of brain cells. To date, only reprogramming in brain cells that were already fully developed or which had only a limited ability to divide was possible. The new reprogramming method presented by the Bonn scientists and submitted for publication in July 2011 now enables derivation of brain stem cells that are still immature and able to undergo practically unlimited division to be extracted from conventional body cells. The results have now been published in the current edition of the prestigious journal Cell Stem Cell.

Study from NeuroStemcell group opens new perspectives for Parkinson’s

Embargoed until (GMT): 
6 Nov 2011 - 6:00pm UTC

A study coordinated by Lorenz Studer, a NEUROSTEMCELL principal investigator, has developed a new strategy for the efficient transformation of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into dopamine-producing neurons. The neurons can be implanted into animals where they show “robust performance” by forming new connections and achieving long-term survival. The result is a significant progress in the use of PSCs and may help to develop new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The work is published in the journal Nature.

The degeneration of dopamine-producing (dopaminergic, in jargon) neurons is the main event behind the onset of Parkinson disease. One goal of NEUROSTEMCELL is to use PSCs to produce dopaminergic neurons that may be transplanted in patients affected by Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Research on cancer-related gene opens possibilities for leukaemia treatment: Press release from EuroStemCell partner CRG

Embargoed until (GMT): 
20 Oct 2011 - 10:22am UTC

In the field of acute myeloid leukaemia researchers from the CRG have found a way to eliminate the carcinogenic activity of the Myc gene, present in the majority of cancers, while at the same time boosting its hitherto unknown anticancer activity

Cell Transformation A la Carte: Press release from EuroStemCell's partner CRG

Embargoed until (GMT): 
5 Oct 2011 - 4:51pm UTC

Researchers from the CRG have described a mechanism by which one cell can be converted into another entirely different. The research is vital for the future development of cell therapy treatments, a new method for replacing cells damaged by illness, trauma or ageing. Transcription factor C/EBPa is responsible for regulating this transformation. The study was carried out on immune system cells.

Dopamine-producing nerve cells grown from stem cells of a Parkinson's patient

Embargoed until (GMT): 
23 Aoû 2011 - 4:00pm UTC

Parkinson's iPS cells differentiated towards dopaminergic neuronsParkinson's iPS cells differentiated towards dopaminergic neuronsScientists have for the first time generated stem cells from one of the most rapidly progressing forms of Parkinson’s disease.

The development will help research into the condition as it will enable scientists to model the disease in the laboratory to shed light on why certain nerve cells die.

Scientists, funded with a £300,000 grant from the charity Parkinson’s UK, took skin samples from a patient diagnosed with one of the most progressive types of Parkinson’s.The research, led by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with University College London, then used these skin cells to generate brain nerve cells affected by the disease.

European Advocate General critical of stem cell patents: University of Bonn Press Release (German)

Embargoed until (GMT): 
10 Mar 2011 - 5:00pm UTC

Europäischer Generalanwalt kritisch zu Stammzellpatenten

Schlussantrag des Generalanwalts zielt auf ein Komplettverbot von Erfindungen mit embryonalen Stammzellen

Auf Antrag des Bundesgerichtshofes (BGH) befasst sich der Europäische Gerichtshof derzeit mit der Auslegung der europäischen Biopatentrichtlinie. Infrage steht vor allem die Patentierbarkeit von Erfindungen, welche die Verwendung sogenannter ES-Zell-Linien beinhalten.

Stem cells from the thymus reprogrammed to become skin stem cells

Embargoed until (GMT): 
18 Aoû 2010 - 5:00pm UTC

New research published on 19 August 2010 in Nature points to the possibility of direct reprogramming of one stem cell type to another without the need for genetic modification and raises prospects for regenerating organs.  The study shows that stem cells from the thymus, a specialized organ of the immune system, can function as hair follicle stem cells and contribute to the long-term maintenance of the skin, a completely different organ.

EU funded study sheds light on stem cells

Embargoed until (GMT): 
17 Mai 2010 - 9:00am UTC

A study, set to be presented at an International Symposium coordinated by the University of Sheffield, has shed new light on the properties of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), reporting evidence that they may not always be able to replace embryonic stem cells (ES cells) in some research and medical applications.

Injured Tissue repair targeting patients own stem cells while still in the body now one step closer

Embargoed until (GMT): 
29 Mar 2010 - 8:02am UTC

Stresa (Italy), March 29th 2010: A collection of top-class scientists and companies today launched a large scale collaboration designed to develop new approaches aimed at stimulating stem cells for treating degenerative diseases.

Scientists develop liver cells from different ethnic groups

Embargoed until (GMT): 
20 Oct 2009 - 9:00am UTC
Scientists have for the first time produced liver cells specific to different ethnic groups that could revolutionise the development of drugs to treat diseases.