Stem Cell Therapy
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has handed out $250 million in 14 grants. About $50 million of that will go to scientists at UCLA. Report
Geron has moved closer to resuming testing of an embryonic stem cell therapy. Story
Scientists at Stanford and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease will use $10 million in federal funds to finance a seven-year project to probe into the healing powers of induced pluripotent stem cells. Report
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have shown that adult stem cells from bone marrow can prevent acute lung injury in a mouse model of the disease. Release
Ontario is investing $10 million in a project designed to advance new stem cell technologies and train a cadre of researchers over the next five years. Release
Genetics
For the first time scientists sequenced the genome of a domesticated pig, opening up a better way to developing new drugs and perhaps shining a light on a new vaccine that guards the animal against swine flu. Story
Researchers at the University of Maryland are using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model system to unravel what genes and gene pathways are involved in the metabolic changes that lead to insulin resistance and full-blown diabetes in humans. Release
Disease-causing mutations have been identified in several genes that generate proteins involved in lymphocyte-mediated cell death, including syntaxin-11. Release
A genetic variation linked to lower levels of a brain protein needed for memory retention may help explain why some people make bad drivers. Story
Cancer Research
France announced plans to spend more than a billion dollars on cancer research and new efforts to improve the lives of patients suffering from cancer. Report
MIT cancer biologists have identified a subpopulation of cells that can give rise to pancreatic cancer. Release
New Orleans Xavier University will spend $10 million over five years to build a new cancer research center. Story