ESC & iPSC News Volume 6.49 | Dec 14 2011

SAG/RBX2/ROC2 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Is Essential for Vascular and Neural Development by Targeting NF1 for Degradation
The study identifies NF1 as a physiological substrate of SAG-CUL1-FBXW7 E3 ligase and establishes a ubiquitin-dependent regulatory mechanism for the NF1-RAS pathway during embryogenesis. [Dev Cell] Abstract

RNA Binding Protein L1TD1 Interacts with LIN28 via RNA and Is Required for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Cancer Cell Proliferation
Here, scientists report a new stem cell specific RNA binding protein L1TD1 (ECAT11, FLJ10884) required for human embryonic stem cell self-renewal and cancer cell proliferation. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Divergent RNA-Binding Proteins, DAZL and VASA, Induce Meiotic Progression in Human Germ Cells Derived In Vitro
Here, researchers examined whether intrinsic germ cell translational factors might drive germ line formation and/or differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells in vitro. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Elevated Coding Mutation Rate During the Reprogramming of Human Somatic Cells into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Investigators performed whole exome sequencing of human foreskin fibroblasts and their derived induced pluripotent stem cells at two different passages. [Stem Cells] Abstract

HDAC1 Regulates Pluripotency and Lineage Specific Transcriptional Networks in Embryonic and Trophoblast Stem Cells
Here, scientists used genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation to investigate targets of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in embryonic stem and trophoblast stem cells. [Nucleic Acids Res] Abstract

Laminin Stimulates Proliferation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells through a Reduction of Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication via RhoA-Mediated Cx43 Phosphorylation and Dissociation of Cx43/ZO-1/Drebrin Complex
Researchers examined the role of laminin-111 in the control of connexin (Cx) 43 functions and related signal pathways in mouse embryonic stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Synergistic Effect of Medium, Matrix and Exogenous Factors on the Adhesion and Growth of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Under Defined, Xeno-Free Conditions
To explore human pluripotent stem cell expansion in defined, xeno-free conditions, two different groups of culture systems were used to culture different human embryonic stem cell and human induced pluripotent stem cell lines. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Global Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Similarities and Differences Between Human Stem Cell Derived Cardiomyocyte Clusters and Heart Tissue
In the present study, investigators used microarrays and analyzed the global transcription of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte clusters, and determined similarities as well as differences compared to reference samples from fetal- and adult heart tissue. [Physiol Genomics] Abstract

From Skin Biopsy to Neurons through a Pluripotent Intermediate Under Good Manufacturing Practice Protocols
Here, scientists present a successful framework to produce Good Manufacturing Practice-grade derivatives of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that are free of xenobiotic exposure from the collection of patient fibroblasts, through reprogramming, maintenance of hiPSCs, identification of reprogramming vector integration sites , and finally specification and terminal differentiation of clinically relevant cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Wnt Signaling Orchestration with a Small Molecule Dual-Specificity Tyrosine Phosphorylation- Regulated Kinase Inhibitor Provides Long-Term Xeno-Free Human Pluripotent Cell Expansion
Building on their previous investigations of small molecules modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mouse embryonic stem cells, researchers identified a compound, ID-8, that could support Wnt-induced human embryonic stem cell proliferation and survival without differentiation. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

CIRM Approves $27 Million for Initiatives to Accelerate Promising Stem Cell Research Projects
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) enhanced its efforts to proactively discover and fund innovative research and to provide continuous support to successful research programs, speeding the development of new stem cell-based therapies. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

£50 Million Technology and Innovation Centre in Cell Therapy to Come to London
The Technology Strategy Board has announced further details about its Technology and Innovation Centre in Cell Therapy. The new centre will support the development and commercialization of cell therapies and advanced therapeutics, as well as the underpinning technologies for manufacturing, quality control, safety and efficiency. [Technology Strategy Board] Press Release

Conferees Strike a Deal on Programs for High-Tech Startups
After 5 years of tough negotiations, Congress has agreed to increase funding for two programs that try to turn scientific discoveries into profitable businesses by increasing how much 11 research agencies must contribute. [Congress, United States] Press Release

NIH’s Stimulus Money Created at Least 21,000 Jobs
The $8.2 billion for extramural research that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) received from the 2009 stimulus act put many scientists and their staffs to work. But a congressional watchdog agency found it hard to be more specific about the impact of the controversial spending on the U.S. biomedical workforce. [National Institutes of Health, United States] Press Release

Ireland’s Science Budget Avoids the Ax
Ireland’s science budget for 2012 has largely been protected from the €1.4 billion in cuts to hospitals, schools, and other public expenditures. [Science Foundation Ireland, Ireland] Press Release

Lukewarm Reception for UK Life-Sciences Investment
Faced with sluggish economies at home and abroad, the UK government announced a series of spending measures and incentives it hopes will jump-start Britain’s life-sciences industry and speed the commercialization of new treatments. [UK Government, United Kingdom] Press Release

German Science Organizations Slam European Court Over Stem-Cell Ruling
The powerful Alliance of German Scientific Organizations has now publicly criticized an 18 October ruling from the European Court of Justice that bans patenting of inventions involving human embryonic stem (ES) cells and says that research using human ES cell lines is immoral. [Alliance of German Scientific Organizations, Germany] Press Release

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