ESC & iPSC News Volume 10.01 | Jan 14 2015

The Differential Activation of Intracellular Signaling Pathways Confers the Permissiveness of Embryonic Stem Cell Derivation from Different Mouse Strains
To reveal the molecular basis of the strain-dependent function of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), scientists compared the activation of the intracellular signaling pathways downstream of LIF in embryonic stem cells with different genetic backgrounds. [Development] Abstract | Full Article

A Tight Control of Rif1 by Oct4 and Smad3 Is Critical for Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Stability
To understand how SMAD family member 3 (Smad3) contributes to embryonic stem cell (ESC) stability, investigators performed microarray analysis to compare the transcriptome of wild-type and Smad3^-/- ESCs. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Gene Targeting via Homologous Recombination in Monkey Embryonic Stem Cells Using CRISPR/Cas9 System
Scientists demonstrate the feasibility to genetically modify the embryonic stem cells of Rhesus monkey via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system for cell tracing. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Putative Immunogenicity Expression Profiling Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells and Derivatives
Researchers found that ZG16 expression is heterogeneous across multiple human embryonic stem cell and human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cell types. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Comparison of Cardiomyocyte Differentiation Potential between Type 1 Diabetic Donor- and Non-Diabetic Donor-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Investigators comparatively analyzed cardiomyocyte differentiation capacity of non-diabetic donor-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and type 1 diabetes mellitus-iPSCs. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Thymopentin Enhances the Generation of T-Cell Lineage Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro
Scientists developed a novel strategy that enhances T-cell lineage differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in collagen matrix culture by sequential cytokine cocktails treatment combined with thymopentin stimulation. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Improved Approach for Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers report a new, straightforward and highly efficient approach for chondrogenic differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells, which avoids embryoid body formation. [Stem Cell Rev]
Abstract | Full Article

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

CIRM Opens New On-Line Application Portal
CIRM has opened its new on-line application portal and is now accepting submissions for the first round of funding under CIRM 2.0. The first three programs under the initiative are for projects that are ready to start a clinical trial or are doing the work required by the Food and Drug Administration to gain approval for a clinical trial. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

From our sponsor: Pluripotent cell isolation for regenerative medicine. Request a free wallchart from Nature.

Largest U.S. Biomedical Research Society Weighs in on NIH’s Budget Woes
Biomedical researchers are once again wringing their hands about a surfeit of scientists chasing too few research dollars and academic jobs. In a report released today, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), which represents more than 120,000 scientists, endorses familiar solutions and adds a few new ones. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

New Open-Access Journal Plans to Pay Peer Reviewers
A new open-access scientific journal hopes that paying peer reviewers a little hard cash will help strengthen efforts to make research results freely available to the public. Collabra plans to break with the research community’s long-standing tradition of reviewing journal submissions for free by paying small sums to the reviewers and editors who decide what gets published. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Wnt Signaling and Cell Polarity in Embryonic Development (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Research Technician – Skeletal Muscle Disorders with Human iPS Cells (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cells and Cartilage Biology (Boston Children’s Hospital)

PhD Studentship – Deciphering Mechanisms Underlying the Dysfunction of Motoneurons Derived from ALS Patient iPSCs (University of St. Andrews)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Stem Cell Models of Autism (University of South Carolina)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Reprogramming (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow and Technician – Regenerative Medicine Using iPSC, Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Postdoctoral Position – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology and Cancer Research (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center)

Scientist – Reprogramming and Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.