ESC & iPSC News Volume 10.25 | Jul 8 2015

Engineering Human Stem Cell Lines with Inducible Gene Knockout Using CRISPR/Cas9
Investigators explored building inducible gene knockout human pluripotent stem cell lines by combining CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing with the Flp/FRT and Cre/LoxP system. They found that “dual-sgRNA targeting” was essential for biallelic knockin of FRT sequences to flank the exon. [Cell Stem Cell]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract

MicroRNA-29b/Tet1 Regulatory Axis Epigenetically Modulates Mesendoderm Differentiation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists showed non-coding RNA regulation on ten eleven translocation (Tet) family may contribute to epigenetic regulation during embryonic stem cell differentiation, which is suggested by microRNA-29b binding sites on the Tet1 3′ untranslated region. [Nucleic Acids Res] Full Article

Generation and Isolation of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers describe a robust, fast and reproducible differentiation protocol to generate human oligodendrocytes from pluripotent stem cells using a chemically defined, growth factor–rich medium. [Nat Protoc] Full Article

Disease Modeling and Lentiviral Gene Transfer in Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Late-Onset Pompe Disease Patient
Investigators generated late-onset Pompe disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells and differentiated them into cardiomyocytes. [Mol Ther] Abstract

A Time Frame Permissive for Protein Kinase D2 Activity to Direct Angiogenesis in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers investigated the role of protein kinase Ds (PKD) in germ layer segregation and subsequent vasculogenesis and angiogenesis using mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). They showed that mouse ESCs predominantly expressed PKD2 followed by PKD3 while PKD1 displayed negligible levels. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Mediated Sox2 Phosphorylation Enhances the Ability of Sox2 to Establish the Pluripotent State
Scientists identified new phosphorylation sites on Sox2, and have further demonstrated that Cdk-mediated Sox2 phosphorylation at S39 and S253 is required for establishing the pluripotent state during reprogramming but is dispensable for embryonic stem cell maintenance. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Dichloroacetate, the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex and the Modulation of mESC Pluripotency
In order to assess the importance of the pyruvate dehydrogenase cycle in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC), investigators incubated cells with the dehydrogenase kinase inhibitor dichloroacetate and observed that in its presence embryonic stem cells started to differentiate. [PLoS One] Full Article

Immunogenicity and Functional Evaluation of iPSC-Derived Organs for Transplantation
Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived skin, islet, and heart representing three germ layers of the body through 4n complementation and evaluated their immunogenicity and therapeutic efficacy. [Cell Disc] Full Article

Distinct Neurodegenerative Changes in an Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Frontotemporal Dementia Linked to Mutant TAU Protein
Researchers derived induced pluripotent stem cells from individuals with frontotemporal dementia-associated MAPT mutations and differentiated them into mature neurons. [Stem Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Histone Demethylases KDM4A and KDM4C Regulate Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells to Endothelial Cells
Scientists demonstrated that the histone demethylases KDM4A and KDM4C played an indispensable but independent role in mediating the expression of fetal liver kinase and VE-cadherin, respectively, and thereby the transition of mouse embryonic stem cell to endothelial cells. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article

The Current State of Naïve Human Pluripotency
The authors review protocols which now allow derivation of naïve human pluripotent stem cells by transgene expression or the use of media formulations containing inhibitors and growth factors, and correlate this with pathways involved. [Stem Cells] Abstract

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

ORIG3N™ Announces a Collaboration with the Sturge-Weber Foundation to Advance Therapeutic Research of Sturge-Weber Syndrome
ORIG3N, Inc. announced a collaboration with the Sturge-Weber Foundation to enable a better understanding of Sturge-Weber syndrome. As part of the research program, ORIG3N will collect patient blood samples and the samples will be reprogrammed into iPSCs and then differentiated into neurons. [ORIG3N, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

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Greek Scientists Lose Access to Digital Journals
The Internet portal that provides scientists in many Greek universities and research institutes with access to electronic journals from 27 publishers suspended many of its services on 1 July because the government has not provided the funds to keep it going. [Nature News] Editorial

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

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Niche Function (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Advanced Research Assistant – Mouse Genetics Project (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)

MICA Stem Cell Scientist (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency)

Stem Cell Scientist (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neurology (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

Postdoctoral Position – Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency and Self-Renewal (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences )

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer, Stem Cell, and Developmental Biology (Columbia University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Study Metabolism and Gene Expression Regulating Neural Tube Development (Joslin Diabetes Center)

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