ESC & iPSC News Volume 10.06 | Feb 18 2015

Functional Proteomics Defines a PRC2-G9A Interaction Network and Reveals ZNF518B as a G9A Regulator
Scientists present a new approach that combines quantitative interaction proteomics with global chromatin profiling to functionally characterize repressive chromatin modifying protein complexes in embryonic stem cells. [Mol Cell Proteomics] Abstract

cAMP and EPAC Signaling Functionally Replace OCT4 during Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Reprogramming
By utilizing a quantitative, medium-throughput screen to initially identify signaling pathways that could potentially replace individual transcription factors during reprogramming, researchers found that several pathways – such as Notch, Smoothened, and cAMP signaling – were capable of generating alkaline phosphatase positive colonies in the absence of OCT4, the most stringently required Yamanaka factor. [Mol Ther] Abstract

hiPS-MSCs Differentiation towards Fibroblasts on a 3D ECM Mimicking Scaffold
Scientists developed a functional extracellular matrix (ECM) mimicking scaffold that is capable supplying spatial allocation of stem cells as well as anchorage and storage of growth factors to direct stem cells differentiate towards fibroblasts. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Nuclear Transcriptome Profiling of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Embryonic Stem Cells Identify Non-Coding Loci Resistant to Reprogramming
Researchers conducted an in depth analyses of nuclear and cytoplasmic transcriptomes, using the cap analysis of gene expression technology, for five induced pluripotent stem cell clones derived from mouse lymphocytes B and three embryonic stem cell lines. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Activin/Nodal Signaling Switches the Terminal Fate of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Trophoblasts
Scientists showed that Activin/Nodal switches the terminal fate of human embryonic stem cell-derived trophoblasts. Inhibition of Activin/Nodal signaling leads to formation of extravillous trophoblast, whereas loss of Activin/Nodal inhibition leads to the formation of syncytiotrophoblasts. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Substrate Stiffness and Composition Specifically Direct Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Investigators aimed to determine the effect that the stiffness and protein composition of the underlying substrate has on the differentiation of induced-pluripotent stem cells, and the potential synergy with specific soluble cues. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Putative Porcine Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Aggregated Four-Celled Cloned Embryos Produced by Oocyte Bisection Cloning
Researchers attempted to isolate embryonic stem cell lines using inner cell masses from high-quality cloned porcine blastocysts. After being seeded onto feeders, embryos had better attachment, outgrowth formation and primary colonization in both 2x and 3x aggregated cloned embryos compared to the non-aggregated group. [PLoS One] Full Article

L-Type Ca²⁺ Channels and SK Channels in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells and Their Contribution to Cell Proliferation
Investigators aimed to characterize functional ion channels in cultured undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells and their role in cell proliferation. L-type voltage-activated Ca²⁺ channels sensitive to nifedipine and small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (SK) channels sensitive to apamin were identified. [J Membr Biol] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Use in Cardiac and Neural Regenerative Medicine
The authors address the use of induced pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine and modeling diseases like myocardial infarction, Timothy syndrome, dilated cardiomyopathy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract | Download Full Article

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Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. Provides Update on its Product Development and Partnering Activities
Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. opened the clinical trial of OpRegen^® titled “Phase I/IIa Dose Escalation Safety and Efficacy Study of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells Transplanted Subretinally in Patients with Advanced Dry-Form Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Geographic Atrophy” at Hadassah University Medical Center. [BioTime, Inc.] Press Release

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Open Records Laws Becoming Vehicle for Harassing Academic Researchers, Report Warns
The electronic age of communication is making it easier for activists, companies and lobbying groups to use state open records laws — designed to promote transparency — to harass academic researchers they disagree with, a scientific-integrity group warns in a new report. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Report

Stem Cell Pioneer Joins Forces with Stem Cell Fraudster
The scientist who once fraudulently claimed to have created embryonic stem cells matched to human patients and the one who really did it plan to conduct joint research. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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NEW Research Associate – Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (University of Cambridge)

NEW Principal Investigators – Cell & Developmental Biology (University of Dundee)

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

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.)

Graduate Research Assistantship – Reprogramming Fibroblasts into Functional Cardiomyocytes (Utah State University)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) and the Peripheral Nervous System (Inserm)

Senior Process Development Engineer (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Director – Vector Production (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Positions – Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (University of Macau)

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