ALSO NOTED: New research institute proposed; First DCA trial in brain cancer; Research consortium announced for adverse side ef

Stem Cell Research

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers University have proposed a new organization called the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey. If funding passes for the institute, the statewide initiative would build a research building dedicated to the study of stem cells, with more than $400 million from the state. Release

A study underway in the UK is testing the therapeutic effects of bone marrow stem cells on multiple sclerosis. Report

Researchers from the Diabetes Research Institute have developed an oxygen "sandwich" that helps pancreatic stem cells become beta stem cells. Release

In a paper published Sept. 20 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have shown how stem-cell therapy might someday be used to treat Huntington's disease. Release

The new chief of British medical research is calling for public funds to support stem cell research. He adds that restrictions on ESC research in the U.S. has helped make the UK a leader in the field. Report

Tools: Invitrogen has started selling a new device that simplifies the process of dividing embryonic stem cell colonies. Release

Cancer Research

Regulators have approved the first human trial of dichloroacetate (DCA) to treat brain tumors. In an animal study, the chemical disabled the energy-producing mechanism in cancer cells, offering a potential new approach to treating cancer. Report

Analyzing the different expressions of genes in the entire genome of tumor tissues from 121 patients with stage II colon cancer who had not received adjuvant chemotherapy, researchers in The Netherlands have developed a method of accurately predicting which patients with colon cancer are most likely to have their disease recur after surgery and who would, therefore, be likely to benefit from additional chemotherapy. Release

Sweden's Affibody has been given a green light to begin a clinical trial of its molecular imaging agent designed to improve the diagnosis of HER2-positive breast cancer. Report

Fetal cells that persist in a woman's body long after pregnancy--a common occurrence known in scientific circles as fetal microchimerism--in some cases may reduce the woman's risk of breast cancer, according to researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Release

Genetics

Big Pharma companies are lining up with academic research groups to use new advances in genetics to flag serious side effects in drugs. Report

Scientists have sequenced the genome of a common intestinal parasite, pointing to new drug targets that could treat tens of thousands of infections each year. Report

New research links two genetic variations with suicidal thoughts by patients taking a common antidepressant. Report

Previous research has extensively studied the association of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) with alcoholism. Findings, however, have been inconsistent. A new study suggests that a neighboring gene called ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1) may also be involved in addictive behaviors. Release

More Research

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have identified a new molecular target in blood clot formation, which seems to reduce clotting without excessive bleeding, the common side-effect of anti-clotting agents. Release

By better understanding how antimicrobials bind and thereby get inactivated in the mucus of air passages, researchers at the University of Illinois may have found a way to help cystic fibrosis patients fight off deadly infections. Release

Researchers say that the drug CDPPB appears to "treat" an abnormality in brain function that may resemble aspects of schizophrenia. Release

Researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia have shown that when an individual infected with HIV receives a powerful cocktail of antiviral agents called HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy), the virus calls on miRNAs to help it remain quiet and practically undetectable, temporarily shutting down its ability to replicate and infect. Release

In Chemical & Engineering News, senior correspondent Ann Thayer and assistant editor Carmen Drahl describe far-ranging efforts underway to develop new TB diagnostic tests and treatments. Release

In collaboration with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, a U.S. scientist hopes to use his recently developed neural cell kits to detect chemical threats. Release