ESC & iPSC News Volume 10.36 | Sep 23 2015

Srebp-1 Interacts with C-Myc to Enhance Somatic Cell Reprogramming
Researchers found that overexpression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (Srebp-1), a transcriptional factor required for lipid homeostasis, enhances reprogramming efficiency, while knockdown or pharmaceutical inhibition of Srebp-1 is inhibitory. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Structural Changes in N-Glycans on Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Differentiating Toward Cardiomyocytes
Scientists focused on N-glycans produced in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes to investigate their change on cardiomyogenic differentiation in vitro. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article

Dynamic and Social Behaviors of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists used non-invasive time-lapse imaging to continuously examine human pluripotent stem cell maintenance and differentiation and to predict cell viability and fate. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Edges of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies Display Distinct Mechanical Properties and Differentiation Potential
The authors examined the differentiation process in adherent colonies of human embryonic stem cells. Live imaging of the differentiation process revealed that cells on the outer edge of the undifferentiated colony begin to differentiate first and remain on the perimeter of the colony to eventually form a band of differentiation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Activin/Nodal Signaling Supports Retinal Progenitor Specification in a Narrow Time Window during Pluripotent Stem Cell Neuralization
Researchers used chemically defined media to induce in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) toward eye field fates. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Glutamine Contributes to Maintenance of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal through PKC-Dependent Downregulation of HDAC1 and DNMT1/3a
Scientists investigated the effect of glutamine on regulation of mouse embryonic stem cell self-renewal and related signaling pathways. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Changes in Laminin Expression Pattern during Early Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers investigated the potential changes in laminin expression during early human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation induced by retinoic acid. They found that laminin-511 but not -521 accumulated in the committed cells during early steps of hESC differentiation. [PLoS One] Abstract

Noggin Over-Expressing Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts and MS5 Stromal Cells Enhance Directed Differentiation of Dopaminergic Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers demonstrated that early noggin exposure may play a specific role in the directed differentiation of dopaminergic cells from human embryonic stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

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

New Grant Will Fund Collaborative Effort to Build Reproducible Assays To Model Autism
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $13 million grant over five years to develop and disseminate new stem cell-based technologies and assays for studying autism spectrum disorder and other mental health diseases to a consortium of researchers at the University of California, San Diego and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, working in tandem with leaders in the biotechnology sector. [UC San Diego] Press Release

From our sponsor: Learn how to form and isolate neural rosettes more efficiently. Watch the video.

New U.S. Board Proposed to Tackle Regulatory Burden on Research Universities
The best way to ease the regulatory burden on U.S. academic researchers is to create another layer of bureaucracy. That surprising conclusion is the top recommendation in a report out today by a National Academies committee that Congress asked to examine the current regulatory jungle confronting universities that receive federal research dollars. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Genetics (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)

NEW Senior Stem Cell Scientist (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Epigenetic Modifiers (Van Andel Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury Research (Indiana University-Purdue University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Embryonic Stem Cells, Bio-NEMS, and Tissue Engineering (University of South Carolina)

Laboratory Head – Stem Cell Biology (RIKEN)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Development and Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer (University College London)

Postdoctoral Fellow – (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Advanced Research Assistant – Gene Targeting (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.