Scientists from AXOL Bioscience, located in Chesterford, Cambridge, UK, have used small molecule inhibitors to differentiate sensory neuron precursors from human induced pluripotent stem cells which are suitable for the investigation on neuropathic pain.

The European stem cell bank EBiSC2 is working to provide long-term a  worldwide access to well-characterized and quality-controlled human induced pluripotent stem cells for disease models and drug development.

Just in time for the World Parkinson's Day on 11 April 2019, this year's experimental animal of the year - the mouse in Parkinson's research - was published today. Extensive research by the Federal Association of People for Animal Rights Germany (PARG) revealed that, despite countless mouse manipulations, there is still no effective therapy against the disease. Therefore, the association calls for new methods using modern human-specific methods.

A researcher team of from Würzburg hopes to break new ground in the fight against black skin cancer (malignant melanoma). The team is focusing on immunotherapies that are being developed using human skin disease models.

Autism model with stem cells

Monday, 08 April 2019 14:02

Autimus is a complex developmental disorder that affects the ability to communicate and to build relationships with others. While a stem cell therapy is already in proress and the first successes have been achieved, other scientists want to do in vitro research on induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate the molecular causes of autism.

Recently approved were the peptide response assay to test for skin sensitization and the Short-Time-Exposure-Assay to test for eye irritation.

Netherlands: Parkinson on-a-Chip

Thursday, 04 April 2019 13:40

In a Dutch-Luxemburg cooperation project, researchers have started the development of a "Midbrain-on-a-Chip" disease model. Aim is to investigate Parkinson's disease.

The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) has announced the 38th Animal WelfareResearch Prize 2019 announced. Researchers are invited to apply for research projects that contribute to a replacement or reduction of the number of animal experiments.

Last Friday the new book "Animal Experimentation: Working Towards a Paradigm Change" was launched, in which 51 authors from Germany, the UK, the United States, Brazil and Australia critically examine animal experimentation in 28 essays, introduce animal-free approaches and show ways out of the system of animal experimentation.

Using cell cultures scientists from the University of Würzburg led by Prof. Elmar Wolf have discovered a new mechanism how genes are transcribed in tumor cells. A protein named Myc playes a key role in this process. The researchers were able to show how oncogenic concentrations of the protein Myc allow an uncontrolled cell growth.