ESC & iPSC News Volume 14.28 | Jul 24 2019

TOP STORY

Epigenetic Reprogramming of Primary Pancreatic Cancer Cells Counteracts Their In Vivo Tumorigenicity

Scientists reprogrammed human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cultures using three different techniques – lentivirally via induction of Yamanaka Factors, the pluripotency-associated gene OCT4 and the microRNA mir-302, or using episomal vectors as a safer alternative without genomic integration. [Oncogene] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Manipulation of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Neurite Extension by Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using IKVAV and LRE Peptide Tethering in Hyaluronic Acid Matrices

Laminin derived peptides, IKVAV and LRE, tethered to independent sites in hyaluronic acid matrices using Michael addition and strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition, were sufficient to manipulate hyaluronic acid degradation, gelatinase expression and protease expression, while promoting neurite extension through matrix metalloprotease dependent mechanisms in mouse embryonic stem cells encapsulated in hyaluronic acid matrices using an oxidation-reduction reaction initiated thiol-ene chemistry gelation. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract

Osteopetrotic Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Patients with Different Disease-Associated Mutations by Non-Integrating Reprogramming Methods

iPSC lines exhibiting typical ESC-like colony morphology were shown to express pluripotency markers by immunofluorescence staining. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Automation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation toward Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells for Large-Scale Productions

The authors developed a protocol amenable for automation that combined in a sequential manner nicotinamide, activin A and CHIR99021 to direct the differentiation of hPSCs into retinal pigment epithelial cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Directed Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mature Stratified Bladder Urothelium

Scientists developed a method for the directed differentiation of human iPSCs into mature stratified bladder urothelium. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Generation of 5 Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines, LUMCi007-A and B and LUMCi008-A, B and C, from 2 Patients with Huntington Disease

Researchers generated human induced pluripotent stem cells from two Huntington disease patients using non-integrating Sendai virus. [Stem Cell Res] Full Article

Differential Expression of piRNAs in Reprogrammed Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

To determine whether there were piwi‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) present and involved in the cellular reprogramming process, the authors extracted piRNA signatures from a small RNA deep sequencing data set of mouse embryonic fibroblasts, mouse embryonic stem cells and reprogrammed stem cells by three different technologies. [IUBMB Life] Abstract

Nanomedicine-Based Curcumin Approach Improved ROS Damage in Best Dystrophy-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Investigators developed patient-specific iPSCs from Best dystrophy (BD) patient-derived dental pulp stromal cells and then differentiated BD-iPSCs into retinal pigment epithelial cells. [Cell Transplant] Full Article

Trolox‐Induced Cardiac Differentiation Is Mediated by the Inhibition of Wnt/β‐Catenin Signaling in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Scientists examined the effect of trolox, a vitamin E analog, on the cardiac differentiation of human ESCs (hESCs). 6‐Hydroxy‐2,5,7,8‐tetramethylchromane‐2‐carboxylic acid (Trolox) significantly enhanced cardiac differentiation in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner after the mesodermal differentiation of hESCs. [Cell Biol Int] Abstract

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Strategies for In Vivo Reprogramming

The authors discuss the latest strategies and advances of in vivo reprogramming to convert cell identities in living organisms, including reprogramming induced by transcription factors (TFs) and CRISPR/dCas9 synthetic TFs, as well as by cell fusion and small molecules. [Curr Opin Cell Biol] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field.

PharmaCyte Biotech and UTS Creating Advanced Version of Melligen Cells to Treat Diabetes

PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. announced it has entered into a new research agreement with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in Australia to create a new version of Melligen cells for the treatment of diabetes with the potential to express higher levels of insulin. [PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.] Press Release

Kite Announces Plans to Bolster Industry-Leading Cell Therapy Manufacturing Capabilities with New Viral Vector Facility

Kite announced plans for a new 67,000-square-foot facility in Oceanside, California, dedicated to the development and manufacturing of viral vectors, a critical starting material in the production of cell therapies. [Kite (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

A Vaunted Program for Boosting the Diversity of US Academic Scientists Is Starting to Spread

Many institutions already operate programs to attract and retain more minorities in STEM fields. But change is occurring at a glacial pace. Overall, black and Hispanic people each make up only about 4% of all tenured faculty at US PhD-granting institutions, percentages that have remained nearly flat for each group since 2013. And the numbers appear to be worse within the STEM disciplines. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Mexico’s New President Shocks Scientists with Budget Cuts and Disparaging Remarks

A package of harsh austerity measures implemented, has had a deep impact on federally funded laboratories and institutes; it includes a 30% cut to fuel for vehicles and office supplies and a 50% cut to international travel funds and payments to contract workers. Scientists say the cuts are a serious threat to the future of Mexican research. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 7^th International Conference on Stem Cell Engineering 2019
December 11-13, 2019
Barcelona, Spain

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Cancer Research (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Stem Cell Metabolism (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Tenure-Track Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Research Technician – Beta Cell Production from Human PSCs (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Senior Scientist – Cell Engineering and Characterization (Merck & Co., Inc)

Associate Professor – Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (The University of Hong Kong)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Striated Muscle Regeneration (Duke University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cystic Fibrosis Stem Cell Models (The University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cells & Joint Tissue Development (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Genetics and Epigenomics of iPSC Biology (Stanford University)

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