ALSO NOTED: Brain cells used to replicate tissue; New research on metastasis; B cells could promote HIV

Scientists at UF McKnight Brain Institute were able to take human brain cells from a mature epilepsy patient to create new brain tissue in mice. "We can theoretically take a single brain cell out of a human being and--with just this one cell--generate enough brain cells to replace every cell of the donor's brain and conceivably those of 50 million other people," said Dennis Steindler, Ph.D., executive director of the institute. "This is a completely new source of human brain cells that can potentially be used to fight Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke and a host of other brain disorders. It would probably only take months to get enough material for a human transplant operation. Article

The New York Times takes an in-depth look at the new research work being done in metastasis and the new therapies that may help stop the spread of cancer. Dozens of genetic alterations are needed for metastasis, making it one of the most complex fields of medical research. And each form of metastasis, whether it's the way breast cancer spreads to the lungs or prostate cancer to the bones, is unique. Article

University of Pittsburgh researchers believe that B cells could play a key role in the way that HIV develops and spreads inside the body. It's already known that the virus enters cells through molecular receptors. But the B-cells make a protein--DC-SIGN--that is necessary before the cells can be infected. Report

The Boston Globe examines new research work being done to develop gene therapy for osteoarthritis. Report

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have been studying the alligator's legendary immune system to see how it can ward off a range of viruses, bacteria and microbes, including the lethal HIV virus. Article

William Neaves, the president of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, says that some advocates of adult stem cell therapy are overstating the potential rewards from the field. Writing for Science magazine, Neaves states that the assertions by the Family Research Council claiming that 65 illnesses can be treated with adult and cord blood stem cells are overblown. Neaves is supporting efforts to preserve Missouri's constitutional protection of embryonic stem cell research. Article

Children with OCD are three times more likely to be bullied than other kids, which may play a role in worsening their symptoms. Report

By inserting a type of siRNA that targets focal adhesion kinase-proteins that play a role in promoting cancer cells--into liposomes and slipping them past tumor cell membranes, researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center were able to shut the proteins down in mouse models. Report

Scientists at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the UK's Cardiff University School of Medicine say that a gene involved in brain development may also play a role in schizophrenia. DNA analysis of schizophrenia patients indicate that variations in OLIG2, which is active in myelin development, indicate a connection to the illness. Report

Researchers have used the drug valproic acid to increase the protein neuropeptide Y in the brain by about 50 percent, offering a possible new therapy for epilepsy. Report

African-American patients with hepatitis C (HCV) infections experience a lower response rate to the peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin combination treatment than Caucasian Americans, according to a study published in the August issue of Gastroenterology. Release

By discovering that particular rat brain neurons combine or "integrate" dissimilar pieces of information (e.g. location versus reward), researchers have begun to learn how the brain controls decision-making and goal-oriented behaviors. Release

Researchers at Penn State have concluded that the habit animals have of periodically waking up during hibernation could be linked to the need to periodically jump-start their immune systems, offering some clues into regulating human health. Report

Tools and Technology

Xiaowei Zhuang and a team of scientists at Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute have developed new microscopy technology that can focus on objects as small as 20 nanometers, putting them close to peering directly at living biomolecules and cells. Report

Through late June and early July, researchers from Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore tested the Rapidly Deployable Chemical Detection System (RDCDS) during a series of games. RDCDS can detect a variety of chemical warfare agents as well as the more common toxic industrial chemicals. The RDCDS platform will also readily accept other types of detectors, such as those that sense radiological material. Release

A microscopy technique pioneered with the help of Florida State University's National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has led to the development of a new light microscope capable of looking at proteins on a molecular level. Release

Deals and dollars 

MorphoSys has inked a second deal to use Crucell's PER.C6 cell line for producing clinical grade material. Report

Citing a new report that puts the cost of ischemic stroke in the U.S. at $2.2 trillion by 2050, the American Academy of Neurology is asking Congress to bump up research funds for the National Institutes of Health. Report

Northwestern University has received a four-year, $4.9 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop and produce affordable diagnostic devices for infectious diseases. Release

The new appointee to run the NCI says that a shrinking budget is likely to force him to phase out some of its programs. Article

And Finally… A film crew on the set of "Casino Royale" refused to get on board a stunt plane, saying it's occupied by the ghost of a passenger who died on board from a heart attack. Report