Stem Cell Research
A new study points to progress is using stem cell transplants to cure deafness. A team led by Dr. Marcelo N. Rivolta of the University of Sheffield isolated human auditory stem cells from fetal cochleae and found they had the capacity to differentiate into sensory hair cells and neurons. Release
Two research teams at Rensselaer have each received more than $1 million in grant money from New York state's stem cell research initiative. Report
Speakers at StemConn '09 say that Connecticut's $30 million investment in stem cell research over the past three years has placed it in a good position to take advantage of new federal spending. Report
Nanopoint has won the 2009 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation of the Year for its cellTRAY Imaging System CT-2000. Release
Cancer Research
Researchers are studying peptide-guided gold nanospheres as a new treatment for skin cancer. Story
Duke plans to start recruiting men to participate in a new study aimed at using gene-guided methods for determining treatment of prostate cancer. Report
Genetics
In a dramatic rewrite of the recipe for life, scientists from Florida are describing the design of a new type of DNA with 12 chemical letters instead of the usual four. Release
A new study in Nature Genetics points to 10 genetic variants that raise the risk of sudden cardiac death. Report
A California hospital is opening the Genomic Medicine Institute, which will counsel patients on genetic tests and personalized therapies. Report
A tiny genetic mutation is the key to understanding why nicotine--which binds to brain receptors with such addictive potency--is virtually powerless in muscle cells that are studded with the same type of receptor. Release
And Finally... For the last week Steven Burrill has been on a mission. Talking to various media outlets, the noted venture capitalist has been sharing his view of what the future holds for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. As the keynote speaker of Interphex 2009, he took the opportunity to explain what led to this fundamental shift in the biopharma industry, how it will shape our future and what companies need to do to survive the coming change. Article