ESC & iPSC News Volume 10.09 | Mar 11 2015

Production of Gene-Corrected Adult Beta Globin Protein in Human Erythrocytes Differentiated from Patient iPSCs after Genome Editing of the Sickle Point Mutation
Researchers demonstrated that the CRISPR/Cas9 system designer nuclease is much more efficient in stimulating gene targeting of the endogenous HBB locus near the sickle cell disease point mutation in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) than ZFNs and TALENs. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Press Release

Conditional-Ready Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Macrophages Enable the Study of Essential Genes in Macrophage Function
Investigators constructed a homozygous mutant mouse embryonic stem cell line in the Traf2 gene that is known to play a role in tumor necrosis factor-α signaling but has not been studied for its role in infections or response to Toll-like receptor agonists. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Differentiate into Insulin-Producing Cells Able to Engraft In Vivo
Human induced pluripotent stem cells, derived from both fetal and adult fibroblasts, were differentiated in vitro into pancreas-committed cells and then transplanted into immunodeficient mice at two different stages of differentiation (posterior foregut and endocrine cells). [Acta Diabetol] Abstract

A Facile Method to Establish Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Adult Blood Cells under Feeder-Free and Xeno-Free Culture Conditions: A Clinically Compliant Approach
The authors report highly efficient induced pluripotent stem cell derivation under clinically compliant conditions via major improvements. They revised a combination of three EBNA1/OriP episomal vectors expressing five transgenes, which increased reprogramming efficiency by ≥10-50-fold from their previous vectors. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Embryonic Stem Cells Derived from In Vivo or In Vitro-Generated Murine Blastocysts Display Similar Transcriptome and Differentiation Potential
Researchers generated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) from blastocysts conceived after natural mating or after in vitro fertilization, using optimal and suboptimal conditions. All three groups of embryos showed similar behavior during both derivation and differentiation into their respective mESC lines. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Histone Acetyltransferase Myst2 Regulates Nanog Expression, and Is Involved in Maintaining Pluripotency and Self-Renewal of Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists showed that Myst2 plays a role in pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. Myst2 deficiency results in loss of characteristic morphology, decreased alkaline phosphatase staining and reduced histone acetylation, as well as aberrant expression of pluripotency and differentiation markers. [FEBS Lett] Abstract

Establishment of Tsc2-Deficient Rat Embryonic Stem Cells
To reveal the molecular basis of the pathogenesis caused by the Tsc2 mutation, investigators derived embryonic stem cells from Eker rats, which have the Tsc2 mutation and develop brain lesions and renal tumors. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Phenotype Switching through Epigenetic Conversion
The authors recently set up a new strategy for the conversion of an adult mature cell into another cell type. They increased cell plasticity using 5-aza-cytidine and took advantage of a brief window of epigenetic instability to redirect cells to a different lineage. [Reprod Fertil Dev] Abstract

Development of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
The authors discuss the current status in the generation of multipotent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from human pluripotent stem cells via hemogenic endothelial cells. They also review the achievements in direct reprogramming from non-hematopoietic cells to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

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Orgenesis Acquires Cell Therapy Manufacturer MaSTherCell
Orgenesis Inc. announced the company’s plan to increase its global presence and capabilities by acquiring MaSTherCell, an emerging pioneer in the industrialization of cell-based therapeutics. [Orgenesis Inc. (Marketwire L.P.)] Press Release

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Australian Research Facilities under Threat
Much of Australia’s shared national research infrastructure is under threat of closure because it is not clear whether it will get the $150 million allocated in its 2015–16 budget. The cash is tied to the passage of controversial higher-education-reform legislation, which has been held up in parliament. [Nature News] Editorial

Europe’s Human Brain Project Needs Urgent Reforms, Panel Says
The Human Brain Project (HBP), a humongous, controversial research project backed by the European Union, must reform to stay on course, a review panel has recommended and it must do so fast. A summary of the panel’s report, published by the European Commission, says a series of “corrective actions” needs to be taken in HBP’s governance, the way it collaborates, and its communication. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Interface of Physics and Stem Cell Biology (University of Copenhagen)

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

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

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

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Stem Cell Engineering (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)

Research Associate – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (King’s College London)

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

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.)

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