Discovery of a Small-Molecule BMP Sensitizer for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Using a high-throughput chemical screen, researchers discovered that PD407824, a checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor, increases the sensitivity of cells to sub-threshold amounts of BMP4. They showed utility of the compound in the directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells toward mesoderm or cytotrophoblast stem cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C Synergistically Induce Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Researchers demonstrated a novel and synergistic chemical approach for promoting hypomethylation and sustaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. [Oncotarget] Full Article Distinctive Features of Single Nucleotide Alterations in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells with Different Types of DNA Repair Deficiency Disorders Investigators generated induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a fibroblastic cell line of xeroderma pigmentosum group A, a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disease in which patients develop skin cancer in the areas of skin exposed to sunlight. [Sci Rep] Full Article Graphene Oxide Promotes Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation to Hematopoietic Lineage Scientists demonstrated that graphene oxide coated substrates significantly enhance the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to both primitive and definitive hematopoietic cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article Transient Expression of WNT2 Promotes Somatic Cell Reprogramming by Inducing β-Catenin Nuclear Accumulation Investigators identified the upregulation of WNT2 and subsequent β-catenin nuclear accumulation as key events in reprogramming. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Real-Time Monitoring of Specific Oxygen Uptake Rates of Embryonic Stem Cells in a Microfluidic Cell Culture Device The authors presented real-time monitoring of cell growth from phase contrast microscopy images, and of respiration using optical sensors for dissolved oxygen. [Biotechnol J] Abstract Pancreatic Differentiation of Pdx1-GFP Reporter Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Researchers generated and characterized induced pluripotent stem cells from Pdx1-GFP transgenic mice. The use of a GFP reporter knocked into the endogenous Pdx1 promoter allowed them to monitor pancreatic induction based on the expression of Pdx1, a pancreatic master transcription factor, and to isolate a pure Pdx1-GFP+ population for downstream applications. [Differentiation] Abstract Impact of Arachidonic Acid and the Leukotriene Signaling Pathway on Vasculogenesis of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells The eicosanoid precursor arachidonic acid stimulated vasculogenesis of embryonic stem cells by increasing the number of fetal liver kinase-1+ vascular progenitor cells as well as vascular structures positive for platelet endothelial cell adhesion protein-1 and vascular endothelial cadherin. [Cells Tissues Organs] Abstract |