Streak- Post Stem Cell Therapy Day 9
Looking good after moving sheep this morning, taking a morning walk through the woods, an evening walk to the river and generally running amuck with his cani...

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Streak- Post Stem Cell Therapy Day 9 - Video

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New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) In a discovery that is paving the way for the diagnosis and treatment of a rare genetic disorder related to the brain's functioning, a team of researchers has identified the causative gene behind the disease, which delays development of motor activities in children.

The study was done on a four-year-old child from Punjab, and nine other children who were suffering from motor developmental delay. They could not walk and sit without support.

The team, led by Ryan Taft of the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), comprised 16 researchers including I.C. Verma, director, Centre for Medical Genetics, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Monica Juneja, Department of Paediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College.

The doctors used genome sequencing to determine that these children were suffering from a defect in a gene previously not associated with human disease.

"It has been found that mutations in a gene called DARS gene is responsible for causing inherited brain disorder called HBSL (Hypomyelination with Brain Stem and Spinal Cord Involvement and Leg Spasticity), which affects the motor development activities," a statement from the doctors said.

"We analysed the genome sequences of this child and his parents, using a method called whole genome sequencing and found that a mutation in the DARS gene was likely causing the disorder," Taft said.

"In collaboration with clinicians from India, Canada, Netherlands, Australia, and the US, we then examined the genomes of nine other children who appeared to be suffering from the same disease and the genomes of their parents, and confirmed that they all had mutations in the DARS gene," he said.

"This gene has never previously been associated with human disease and may not have been identified as the culprit using any other method," said Verma, who heads the department of genetics at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Experts from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, India and IMB in Brisbane, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center in Amsterdam, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, and Children's National Medical Centre in Washington D.C came together for this research.

Verma elaborated: "They have named the disease HBSL because it causes Hypomyelination in the brain stem and spinal cord, leading to leg spasticity. Hypomyelination occurs when people do not have enough myelin, the substance that coats nerve fibres and enables the transmission of electrical impulses in the nervous system."

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Gene causing motor development disorder found

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ST. ANTHONY At a clinic in rural Fremont County, innovative practices in veterinary medicine are fairly routine.

But many upper valley residents probably arent even aware of whats happening in a cluster of green roofed buildings west of U.S. Highway 20 in the Twin Groves area.

Dr. Richard Gearys Countryside Veterinary Clinic has international clients and patients. His expertise in bovine and equine reproduction is well known by cattle breeders and ranchers in Argentina and other countries.

After leaving a practice in his native Burley, he established his clinic in Fremont County in 1997. His expertise and client base has led to his becoming one of only three veterinarians in Idaho certified to collect embryos and prepare them for transfer internationally, to South America, the European Union and China.

He has many clients in the U.S. as well, including his neighbor, Brian Loosli, who operates a red Angus breeding ranch in the Ashton area. Ranchers with registered herds are his typical clients in the market for the embryo transfer process.

Most recently, he has branched out in his innovative practice and has learned how to collect stem cells and inject the activated cells to treat injured animals with some success.

It seems like a natural progression, since both processes require microscopic lab work.

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Innovative Fremont vet recognized for genetic research

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Cancer Health Home>>Cancer>>Health news Provided by: RELAXNEWS Written by: Relaxnews May. 3, 2013

Some of the most devastating forms of cancer have genetic similarities even though they strike different body parts, according to new studies out Thursday.

The new research -- one study focused on a form of leukemia, in the New England Journal of Medicine, and a second on endometrial cancer, in Nature -- could offer a pathway to new, more effective treatments.

The new findings challenge the previous approach of classifying tumors based on the body part where they are first observed, and add fuel to the growing trend of differentiating tumors based on their genetic profile.

Thanks to that analysis, scientists had already found genetic relationships between certain forms of breast, lung, and colon cancers.

For example, one type of breast cancer presents genetic mutations very similar to the ones found in ovarian cancer, and colon cancers often have mutations found in breast cancer.

The researchers said around half of all lung cancers could respond to treatments used against other kinds of tumours.

The latest study found the most aggressive form of endometrial cancer, which affects the uterine lining, is similar to more grave forms of breast and ovarian cancer.

"The clinical and pathologic features of uterine serous carcinoma and high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, or HGSOC, are quite similar," wrote the authors of the study published in Nature, which analyzed more than 370 tumors.

Likewise, "HGSOC shares many similar molecular features with basal-like breast carcinoma," added the team, which was directed by Douglas Levine of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, in New York.

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U.S. studies find genetic links in aggressive cancers

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GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Thanks to an innovative Greenville Health System partnership with Selah Genomics, a new gene-based diagnostic test is paving the way for more precise and potentially far more effective cancer treatment at GHS.

This is the first time that this type of advanced genetic test has been developed, validated and employed in a clinical setting in South Carolina to empower oncologists to tailor specific treatment plans based on the particular molecular profile of each patients cancer.

Selahs PrecisionPath test, which was developed with clinical guidance from GHS oncologists, addresses the game-changing redefinition of the classification of cancer.

When it comes to treatment, one size does not fit all anymore, said Joe Stephenson, MD, medical director of GHS Institute for Translational Oncology Research (ITOR). Cancers have long been categorized and treated by the anatomic site of origin of the cancer for example, lung or breast but emerging science shows that we have exhausted what can be achieved with that approach.

Selahs Clinical Genomics Center at ITOR was founded to focus on the mutations, or alterations, in the genes that drive a persons cancer and to help clinicians, academic researchers and drug developers better target exactly what drugs would work best on an individuals specific cancer. This new type of genomic medicine uses molecular information about an individual as part of a physicians diagnostic or therapeutic decision-making.

So far, PrecisionPath has been performed on six common cancers: non-small-cell lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanoma. This powerful new capability, emerging from within the GHS Cancer Institute and ITOR, is the next logical step in GHS programmatic approach to personalizing cancer care.

This pilot program marks the start of routine molecular screening of cancer patients at GHS, said Dr. Larry Gluck, the medical director of the GHS Cancer Institute. Our community will enjoy accelerated access to promising new drugs that are usually only available at a handful of prominent academic cancer centers. It will be an enormous potential benefit for cancer patients from our entire region since they may now be matched to specific new medications being studied here or elsewhere.

PrecisionPath is built on Life Technologies' revolutionary new Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine and is provided via its laboratories in the NEXT Innovation Center and at ITORs Innovation Zone. We are thrilled to leverage a powerful new generation of gene sequencers to enable focused clinical sequencing within GHS. And the pace of progress is accelerating, said Selah Genomics CEO Michael Bolick.

Using this in-house capability, GHS doctors are now developing treatment plans for cancer patients more quickly and more effectively. Selah is able to provide results to GHS doctors within a week, far faster than alternatives in the market. By specifically targeting the genetic makeup of each patients cancer, physicians can find a better treatment match, which may include a clinical trial, while also avoiding more toxic treatments and their damaging side effects. This test is also being used as a routine screening tool to facilitate enrollment on the next generation of targeted clinical trials.

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GHS, ITOR and Selah to Transform Cancer Care with Genetic Testing

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2013 Gartner 1to1 Media CRM Excellence Awards: AgReliant Genetics
Mobile CRM is helping the seed company be more agile in its sales process and led to more robust customer database.

By: 1to1Videos

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2013 Gartner

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Soybean Genetics - Market Journal - May 3, 2013
Jim Orf, University of Minnesota Soybean Breeding and Genetics, measures the differences in soybean genetics between U.S. soybeans and South American soybeans.

By: marketjournal

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Soybean Genetics - Market Journal - May 3, 2013 - Video

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solving misconceptions and untruths about genetics
This is the final project that me and my wife did for our final project in Dr. Graur #39;s genetics class at the University of Houston Citations..... Dolly the s...

By: Kevin Sherman

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solving misconceptions and untruths about genetics - Video

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Let #39;s Play The Sims 3 - Perfect Genetics Challenge - Episode 2
This is a POSSIBLE LP that I am starting - I have recorded 3 episodes and will look at the responses (comments and likes) to determine if I will add this cha...

By: Llandros09

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Let's Play The Sims 3 - Perfect Genetics Challenge - Episode 2 - Video

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By RTT News, May 06, 2013, 10:31:00 AM EDT

(RTTNews.com) - NewLink Genetics Corp. ( NLNK ) reported that its first-quarter of 2013 net loss widened to $7.9 million or $0.33 per share from $4.8 million or $0.23 per share in the first quarter of 2012.

Total grant revenues for the first quarter 2013 were $302,000 compared with $471,000 for the first quarter 2012.

Research and development expense for the first quarter 2013 was $6.3 million compared with $3.8 million for the first quarter 2012. The $2.5 million increase was primarily due to increased manufacturing and clinical trial expense from the same period in 2012.

General and administrative expense for the first quarter 2013 was $2.0 million compared with $1.5 million for the first quarter 2012. This increase was primarily due to increases in personnel related expenses.

The company said it expects to end 2013 with about $40 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report a loss of $0.28 per share on revenues of $0.4 million for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

http://www.rttnews.com

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NewLink Genetics Q1 Loss Widens - Quick Facts

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LOS ANGELES, May 6, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Response Genetics, Inc. (RGDX), a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests that help determine a patient's response to cancer therapy, will announce its first quarter 2013 financial results and give an operational update in a press release to be issued before the market opens on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. The company will host a conference call that same day at 10:00 a.m. EDT to discuss its financial results.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

To access the conference call by phone on May 14 at 10:00 a.m. EDT, dial (800) 537-0745 or (253) 237-1142 for international participants. A telephone replay will be available beginning approximately two hours after the call through May 16, 2013, and may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406. The conference passcode for both the live call and replay is 64250935.

To access the live and archived webcast of the conference call, go to the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site at http://investor.responsegenetics.com. It is advised that participants connect at least 15 minutes prior to the call to allow for any software downloads that might be necessary.

About Response Genetics, Inc.

Response Genetics, Inc. (the "Company") is a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic testing services for cancer. The Company's technologies enable extraction and analysis of genetic information derived from tumor cells stored as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. The Company's principal customers include oncologists and pathologists. In addition to diagnostic testing services, the Company generates revenue from the sale of its proprietary analytical pharmacogenomic testing services of clinical trial specimens to the pharmaceutical industry. The Company's headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit http://www.responsegenetics.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Notice

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release and the statements of representatives of the Company related thereto contain or may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions, such as the ability of the Company, to provide clinical testing services to the medical community, to continue to strengthen and expand its sales force, to continue to build its digital pathology initiative, to attract and retain qualified management, to continue to strengthen marketing capabilities, to expand the suite of ResponseDX(R) products, to continue to provide clinical trial support to pharmaceutical clients, to enter into new collaborations with pharmaceutical clients, to enter into areas of companion diagnostics, to continue to execute on its business strategy and operations, to continue to analyze cancer samples and the potential for using the results of this research to develop diagnostic tests for cancer, the usefulness of genetic information to tailor treatment to patients, and other statements identified by words such as "project," "may," "could," "would," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan" or similar expressions.

These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. Actual results, including, without limitation, actual sales results, if any, or the application of funds, may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control). The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Response Genetics, Inc. to Release First Quarter 2013 Financial Results and Host Conference Call on May 14, 2013

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RUTHERFORD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cancer Genetics, Inc. (CGIX) (CGI) will present at the UBS Global Healthcare Conference on May 22, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. ET at the Sheraton New York. Panna Sharma, CEO and President, will provide a corporate overview.

The CGI presentation will be webcast live and can be accessed by visiting the investor relations section of the Companys website at http://ir.cancergenetics.com/events.

About Cancer Genetics, Inc.

Cancer Genetics, Inc. (CGI) is an emerging leader in the field of personalized medicine, offering products and services that enable cancer diagnostics as well as treatments that are tailored to the specific genetic profile of the individual patient. CGI is committed to maintaining the standard of clinical excellence through its investment in outstanding facilities and equipment. Our reference laboratory is both CLIA certified and accredited by the College of American Pathologists. In addition, we have approvals and accreditations from the states of Florida, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. The company has been built on a foundation of world-class scientific knowledge and IP in solid and hematologic cancers, as well as strong research collaborations with major cancer centers such as Cleveland Clinic and the National Cancer Institute.

CGIs dedicated staff takes pride in our specialized laboratory services, superior turnaround time, enhanced reporting, and ongoing research and development for new oncology tests. CGIs full-service cancer genetic practice and path to innovation with research makes for optimal patient care management. For further information, please seewww.cancergenetics.com.

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Cancer Genetics to Present at UBS Global Healthcare Conference

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AMES, IA--(Marketwired - May 6, 2013) - NewLink Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ: NLNK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immunotherapiesto improve treatment options for patients with cancer, today reported consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2013.

"We are looking forward to completing patient accrual for our IMPRESS trial of algenpantucel-L for surgically resected pancreatic cancer. It was also encouraging to see additional clinical trials of both our HyperAcute and IDO product candidates advancing this past quarter," commented Dr. Charles Link, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NewLink."In addition, NewLink presented preclinical results for our second IDO pathway inhibitor drug candidate, NLG919, at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting. Based on these data, we plan to initiate a clinical trial with NLG919 later this year, further expanding our clinical development programs."

First Quarter and Recent Accomplishments

Pipeline:

Corporate:

Upcoming Activities

NewLink expects to present at the following conferences:

First Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Financial Guidance

NewLink expects to end 2013 with about $40 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

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NewLink Genetics Corporation Reports First Quarter 2013 Financial Results

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Virus to Help Heart Failure Patients
A virus can help heart failure patients. Doctors are hoping an engineered virus will help patients with heart failure by healing the damage caused by heart a...

By: GeoBeatsNews

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Virus to Help Heart Failure Patients - Video

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Untapped_healing: Maria Castro and Pedro Lowenstein at TEDxUofM
Maria Castro and Pedro Lowenstein are Professors of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology at UofM. Maria #39;s research focuses on development of immun...

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Untapped_healing: Maria Castro and Pedro Lowenstein at TEDxUofM - Video

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Xin Lu: Cancer and regenerative medicine
Tumour suppression Professor Xin Lu is the Director of the Oxford branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Her lab works toward identifying molecu...

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Xin Lu: Cancer and regenerative medicine - Video

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What Is Stem Cell Therapy? - Innovations Stem Cell Center
http://www.InnovationsStemCellCenter.com 214.699.6948.

By: InnovationsStemCell

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What Is Stem Cell Therapy? - Innovations Stem Cell Center - Video

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Washington, May 4 (ANI): A researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has tried to identify a human gene that is more active after sleep deprivation by studying fruit flies.

For years, Paul Shaw, PhD, has used what he learns in fruit flies to look for markers of sleep loss in humans.

Shaw reverses the process in a new paper, taking what he finds in humans back to the flies and gaining new insight into humans as a result - identification of a human gene that is more active after sleep deprivation.

"I'm calling the approach cross-translational research," Shaw, associate professor of neurobiology said.

"Normally we go from model to human, but there's no reason why we can't take our studies from human to model and back again," he said.

Shaw and his colleagues plan to use the information they are gaining to create a panel of tests for sleep loss.

The tests may one day help assess a person's risk of falling asleep at the wheel of a car or in other dangerous contexts.

Scientists have known for years that sleep disorders and disruption raise blood serum levels of interleukin 6, an inflammatory immune compound.

Shaw showed that this change is also detectable in saliva samples from sleep-deprived rats and humans.

Based on this link, Shaw tested the activity of other immune proteins in humans to see if any changed after sleep loss.

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Gene that becomes more active after sleep deprivation identified

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Nine Eleven IS the LitmusTest
A seminal piece by Visible, leading to the obvious conclusion that, 9/11 is the litmus test without equal. http://www.smoking-mirrors.com/2008/02/911-is-litm...

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Nine Eleven IS the LitmusTest - Video

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Roy Morello, Ph.D. (Physiology and Biophysics and Genetics)
Roy Morello, Ph.D. (Physiology and Biophysics and Genetics) Web profile: In my laboratory we study the function of novel genes, in particular those involved ...

By: UAMSHealth

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Roy Morello, Ph.D. (Physiology and Biophysics and Genetics) - Video

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Bharat Book Pressents : Gene Therapy Technologies, Markets and Companies
For more information kindly visit : http://www.bharatbook.com/healthcare-market-research-reports/gene-therapy-technologies-markets-and-companies.html Benefit...

By: Deepa Kamath

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Bharat Book Pressents : Gene Therapy Technologies, Markets and Companies - Video

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2v6lkd/cell_therapy) has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech's new report "Cell Therapy - Technologies, Markets and Companies" to their offering.

This report describes and evaluates cell therapy technologies and methods, which have already started to play an important role in the practice of medicine. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is replacing the old fashioned bone marrow transplants. Role of cells in drug discovery is also described. Cell therapy is bound to become a part of medical practice.

Stem cells are discussed in detail in one chapter. Some light is thrown on the current controversy of embryonic sources of stem cells and comparison with adult sources. Other sources of stem cells such as the placenta, cord blood and fat removed by liposuction are also discussed. Stem cells can also be genetically modified prior to transplantation.

Cell therapy technologies overlap with those of gene therapy, cancer vaccines, drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Pharmaceutical applications of stem cells including those in drug discovery are also described. Various types of cells used, methods of preparation and culture, encapsulation and genetic engineering of cells are discussed. Sources of cells, both human and animal (xenotransplantation) are discussed. Methods of delivery of cell therapy range from injections to surgical implantation using special devices.

Cell therapy has applications in a large number of disorders. The most important are diseases of the nervous system and cancer which are the topics for separate chapters. Other applications include cardiac disorders (myocardial infarction and heart failure), diabetes mellitus, diseases of bones and joints, genetic disorders, and wounds of the skin and soft tissues.

Regulatory and ethical issues involving cell therapy are important and are discussed. Current political debate on the use of stem cells from embryonic sources (hESCs) is also presented. Safety is an essential consideration of any new therapy and regulations for cell therapy are those for biological preparations.

The cell-based markets was analyzed for 2012, and projected to 2022. The markets are analyzed according to therapeutic categories, technologies and geographical areas. The largest expansion will be in diseases of the central nervous system, cancer and cardiovascular disorders. Skin and soft tissue repair as well as diabetes mellitus will be other major markets.

The number of companies involved in cell therapy has increased remarkably during the past few years. More than 500 companies have been identified to be involved in cell therapy and 287 of these are profiled in part II of the report along with tabulation of 273 alliances. Of these companies, 158 are involved in stem cells. Profiles of 72 academic institutions in the US involved in cell therapy are also included in part II along with their commercial collaborations. The text is supplemented with 55 Tables and 12 Figures. The bibliography contains 1,050 selected references, which are cited in the text.

Key Topics Covered:

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Research and Markets: Cell Therapy - Technologies, Markets and Companies - Updated 2013 with New Companies and Profiles

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Olympic officials and scientific experts will meet in China next month to review the progress in developing a test for gene doping, the potential future of cheating in sports.

IOC medical commission chairman Arne Ljungqvist said researchers have made significant advances in devising a test, leaving officials hopeful a method can be approved soon for use at the Olympics and other events.

"Quite some progress has been made in terms of outlining the scientific basis for analysis of gene doping," Ljungqvist told The Associated Press. "We are moving. It's promising."

Up to 40 experts from around the world will meet in Beijing on June 5-6 to discuss recent findings and how to move forward in combatting the threat of athletes manipulating their genes to boost sports performance.

The meeting is being organized by the World Anti-Doping Agency in conjunction with China's national anti-doping agency. It will be the Olympic movement's fourth symposium on gene doping, following previous conferences in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, in 2002; Stockholm in 2005; and St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2008.

"There have been scientific studies which are quite promising," said Ljungqvist, also a WADA vice president. "We feel it's time to review this within the context of a small symposium of specialists."

Gene doping, which is prohibited by the IOC and WADA, involves transferring genes directly into human cells to blend into an athlete's own DNA to enhance muscle growth and increase strength or endurance. It is an illegal offshoot of gene therapy, which typically alters a person's DNA to fight diseases like muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis.

"We want to continue the momentum that we've got so we can get to a scenario where the detection methods can be approved," WADA director general David Howman told the AP. "It's close."

In 2010, two groups of scientists - one in Germany and a US-French research team - said they developed gene doping tests in what WADA described at the time as a major breakthrough. One was a blood test that would detect doping as far back as 56 days, while the other was for detecting genetic doping in muscles.

However, the tests have not been validated and hopes they could be used at the 2012 London Olympics were not realised.

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IOC set to combat gene doping with new test

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

LONDON (AP) -- Olympic officials and scientific experts will meet in China next month to review the progress in developing a test for gene doping, the potential future of cheating in sports.

IOC medical commission chairman Arne Ljungqvist said researchers have made significant advances in devising a test, leaving officials hopeful a method can be approved soon for use at the Olympics and other events.

''Quite some progress has been made in terms of outlining the scientific basis for analysis of gene doping,'' Ljungqvist told The Associated Press. ''We are moving. It's promising.''

Up to 40 experts from around the world will meet in Beijing on June 5-6 to discuss recent findings and how to move forward in combatting the threat of athletes manipulating their genes to boost sports performance.

The meeting is being organized by the World Anti-Doping Agency in conjunction with China's national anti-doping agency. It will be the Olympic movement's fourth symposium on gene doping, following previous conferences in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, in 2002; Stockholm in 2005; and St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2008.

''There have been scientific studies which are quite promising,'' said Ljungqvist, also a WADA vice president. ''We feel it's time to review this within the context of a small symposium of specialists.''

Gene doping, which is prohibited by the IOC and WADA, involves transferring genes directly into human cells to blend into an athlete's own DNA to enhance muscle growth and increase strength or endurance. It is an illegal offshoot of gene therapy, which typically alters a person's DNA to fight diseases like muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis.

''We want to continue the momentum that we've got so we can get to a scenario where the detection methods can be approved,'' WADA director general David Howman told the AP. ''It's close.''

In 2010, two groups of scientists - one in Germany and a U.S.-French research team - said they developed gene doping tests in what WADA described at the time as a major breakthrough. One was a blood test that would detect doping as far back as 56 days, while the other was for detecting genetic doping in muscles.

However, the tests have not been validated and hopes they could be used at the 2012 London Olympics were not realized.

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WADA to hold meeting in China on gene doping

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May 3, 2013

Brett Smith for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

When geneticists at the University of Minnesota began work on what they thought was a regulatory gene, they probably had no idea their work would redefine the tiny snippet of genetic material as a key player in stem cell differentiation.

According to the teams report in the journal Cell Stem Cell, the gene Mesp1 is responsible for differentiation of heart, blood and muscle cells from stem cells.

Previous research indicated that this gene was the master regulator for development of the heart, and that its activity prevented the differentiation of other cell types, said co-authorMichael Kyba, an associate professor in the University of Minnesota Medical Schools Department of Pediatrics.

Our work reveals that this gene acts differently, and that it plays a role in the development of blood and skeletal muscle as well, Kyba said.The outcome depends on the chemical signals that cells expressing this factor sense in their environment.

The researchers chose Mesp1 because it was thought to be an important regulator of cardiac differentiation by blocking the delineation of stem cells into other types.

In the study, the researchers examined the activity of Mesp1 to see what it does at different points in the course of a stem cells development and found the gene can affect much more than previously believed.

Using pulse inductions of gene expression after stem cell differentiation, the team found that instead of promoting cardiac cells, the gene causes the development of precursors of different cell types.The effects of the gene could also be seen by fine-tuning the cells culture environment.

This is totally out of the blue, but our discovery brings some conflicting findings about Mesp1 together, said co-author Sunny Chan, a postdoctoral researcher at the University. Some previous studies reported Mesp1 could not make heart cells in certain contexts. We now know why.

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Mesp1 Gene Links Heart, Blood And Skeletal Muscle

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