ESC & iPSC News

ESC & iPSC News is an online resource dedicated to the latest research in the fields of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

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15 Million for Research on Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

May 20, 2026

[Karolinska Institutet] Karolinska Institutet has received a grant of DKK 10 million (approximately SEK 15 million) from the Novo Nordisk Foundation for research on cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease. The project is led by Johan Ericson, professor at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.

Variant U1 snRNAs Contribute to Cell Cycle and Differentiation Control of Human iPS Cells

May 20, 2026

[Nature Communications] Researchers focused on the understudied paralogs of the U1 small nuclear RNA gene known as variant U1 snRNAs. By generating isogenic knockout lines of hiPSCs for different variant U1s, they showed that their loss profoundly changes both gene expression and cell cycle profiles.

Reversible Superdeformability of hiPSC Epithelial Cortinoids

May 20, 2026

[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America] Using inflation–deflation assays and high-resolution imaging, scientists found that these fluid-filled shells are weakly pressurized and achieve extreme deformability through reversible soft modes of deformation accommodated by the cytoskeleton.

Feeder-Free Generation of Functional Dendritic Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

May 20, 2026

[Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer] Researchers developed a feeder-free differentiation platform to generate CD1c⁺CD141⁺ hPSC-derived conventional dendritic cells (DCs) to provide a scalable source of DCs with defined properties.

ESRG Maintains Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Self-Renewal by Binding NPM1 to Regulate BMP4 Protein and TGF-β Signaling Pathway

May 20, 2026

[Cell & Bioscience] Investigators expanded the understanding of the molecular regulatory network underlying hPSC self-renewal maintenance and validates ESRG as a promising target for improving the in vitro expansion of hPSCs.

MECP2 Mutations Rewire Human ESC Fate and Bias Cortical Lineage Commitment

May 20, 2026

[Stem Cell Reports] Using isogenic hESC models carrying three patient-derived MECP2 mutations, scientists followed the transcriptome from pluripotency through neuroectoderm, neural stem/progenitor stages.

cP1P Maintains Long-Term Pluripotency in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

May 20, 2026

[International Journal of Stem Cells] The authors introduced O-cyclic phytosphingosine-1-phosphate (cP1P), a novel culture additive structurally analogous to S1P, which markedly enhances hPSC self-renewal and survival.

Automated Stem Cell-Derived Organoid Platforms for Disease Modeling

May 20, 2026

[Trends in Biotechnology] Scientists discuss how combining iPSC-derived organoids with automation is poised to transform disease modeling and drug development.

Using iPSC Models to Examine Neuron-Glia Interactions in Neurodegenerative Diseases

May 20, 2026

[Bioscience Reports] The authors discuss recent insights into the mechanisms contributing to neurodegenerative disease that have been gained specifically from modelling neuron–glia interactions in human iPSCs.

New York Blood Center Enterprises and Biohub Launch Collaboration to Advance Cord Blood-Derived Stem Cell Platforms

May 6, 2026

[ New York Blood Center Enterprises] New York Blood Center Enterprises’ Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute announced a scientific collaboration with Biohub to develop optimized methodologies for deriving iPSCs from defined immune cell populations isolated from cord blood units.

TCA Cycle Rewiring Underpins Histone Acetylation Sourcing and Cell-Fate Transitions during Exit from Naive Pluripotency

May 6, 2026

[Cell Stem Cell] Researchers mapped metabolite routing in pre- and post-implantation mouse embryos and across dynamic pluripotency transitions in stem cells, revealing that the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle undergoes spatio-temporal rewiring rather than a simple shutdown.

Scaling and Self-Similarity in the Formation of the Embryonic Epigenome

May 6, 2026

[Nature Physics] Investigators showed that despite the complexity of epigenetic regulation, dynamical scaling and self-similarity of DNA methylation marks emerge in embryonic development.

Since 2007, ESC & iPSC News has been providing updates on the top publications, reviews, and news in pluripotent stem cell research. Through our website, Twitter, and email newsletters, our editorial team is proud to help keep researchers and medical professionals up-to-date with the latest discoveries, jobs, and event postings in the pluripotent stem cell field.