ALSO NOTED: New candidate to replace hESCs; Genetic tests proliferate; new research building planned;

Stem Cell Research

Medistem Laboratories says they've found a new adult stem cell in menstrual blood that may prove an effective replacement for human embryonic stem cells. Report

Scientists involved in stem cell research work say they expect to see a major change in the way the government views the field, and provides grants to researchers, after this November's presidential election. Story

An Australian company is using unwanted or discarded embryos to manufacture made-to-order stem cells for research purposes. Report

Scientists at the Bio-Communications Research Institute received an award for a scientific article about its recent stem cell discovery. Release

The International Society for Stem Cell Research is working on new guidelines intended to protect people from a raft of unproven stem cell therapies now available in a range of countries including China and Costa Rica. Report

Genetics

The Washington Post looks at the rapid proliferation of genetic tests that are pushing developers to a revolution in the way that disease is identified and treated. Article

Charles Rotimi heads a new research center that will explore genetics, lifestyle and disease in minority groups. Story

In a Genes & Development paper published online ahead of its April 1 print publication date, Dr. William Kaelin (Dana Farber Cancer Institute) and colleagues identify a potential new neuronal tumor suppressor. Release

Nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Gene variants could be used to identify which patients would benefit the most from cholesterol drugs. Report

UK scientists have found that common versions of two genes--FGFR2 and TNRC9--known to increase breast cancer risk in the general population--also increase the risk in women carrying damaged versions of the BRCA2 gene. Release

South African researchers say that a variant of an immunity gene slows HIV progression and may make it weaker when transmitted to another person. Report

In a paper published in the journal Nature, a team of deCODE scientists detail a major mechanism through which genetic factors contribute to major public health problems. Release

Cancer Research

In an effort to understand the link between gene therapy and leukemia, Hans-Peter Kiem and colleagues at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have learned that early precursors of immune cells that had the gene HOXB4 delivered into them by a gammaretroviral vector became leukemic in two of two  dogs and one of two macaques. Release

Lifeline Hospitals and Cellworks Research India, the research and development wing of California-based Cellworks Group, have announced a year's collaboration for cancer research. Release

A video produced by Lawson Health Research Institute scientist John Lewis shows how an antibody blocks the CD151 protein, preventing metastasis. Report

More Research

UC San Diego is blueprinting plans for a $118 million to $135 million biomedical research building. Story

The University of Hawaii has garnered an additional $10 million for a new biosafety lab. Report