ESC & iPSC News Volume 10.38 | Oct 7 2015

MSX2 Mediates Entry of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mesendoderm by Simultaneously Suppressing SOX2 and Activating NODAL Signaling
Researchers report muscle segment homeobox 2 (MSX2), a homeobox transcription factor of msh family, as a direct target gene of BMP signaling and a master mediator of human pluripotent stem cell differentiation to mesendoderm. [Cell Res] Full Article

Matrigel Mattress: A Method for the Generation of Single Contracting Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
The authors developed a culture method that rapidly generates contracting single human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes and allows quantification of cell shortening with standard equipment used for studying adult cardiac myocytes. [Circ Res] Abstract

Heterochromatin Protein 1β (HP1β) Has Distinct Functions and Distinct Nuclear Distribution in Pluripotent versus Differentiated Cells
Researchers identified HP1β as an essential protein for proper differentiation, and, unexpectedly, for the maintenance of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells. [Genome Biol] Full Article

Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Cone Photoreceptors through Simultaneous Inhibition of BMP, TGFβ and Wnt Signaling
The authors report that Coco (Dand5) is expressed in the developing and adult mouse retina. Upon exposure to recombinant COCO, human embryonic stem cells differentiated into S-cone photoreceptors, developed an inner segment-like protrusion, and could degrade cGMP when exposed to light. [Development]
Abstract | Press Release 

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Beating Cardiac Tissues on Paper
Using human pluripotent stem cells, investigators showed that ErbB4 is critical for cardiogenesis whereby its genetic knockdown resulted in loss of cardiomyocytes. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Secreted Ephrin Receptor A7 Promotes Somatic Cell Reprogramming by Inducing ERK Activity Reduction
Scientists identified a truncated form of ephrin receptor A7 (EPHA7) as a key regulator of reprogramming. Truncated EPHA7 is prominently upregulated and secreted during reprogramming. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

BRG1 Governs Nanog Transcription in Early Mouse Embryos and Embryonic Stem Cells via Antagonism of Histone H3 Lysine 9/14 Acetylation
Scientists report that Brahma related gene-1 (BRG1) cooperates with histone deacetylase 1 to regulate Nanog expression. BRG1 depletion in preimplantation embryos and Cdx2-inducible embryonic stem cells revealed that BRG1 is necessary for Nanog silencing in the trophoblast lineage. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

Modeling Human Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes Using Pluripotent Stem Cells and Genome Engineering
The authors present recent progresses in disease modeling of inherited and acquired bone marrow failure syndromes using reprogramming and genome editing techniques. They also discuss the challenges and potential shortcomings of induced pluripotent stem cell based models for hematological diseases. [Mol Ther] Abstract

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New York Blood Center Announces New Collaboration to Foster Groundbreaking Advancements in Regenerative Medicine
New York Blood Center and the Howard and Abby Milstein Foundation announced a further expansion of their collaborative efforts to advance the use of specialized stem cell lines in regenerative medicine. [New York Blood Center (PR Newswire LLC.)] Press Release

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US Plan to Assess Risky Disease Research Takes Shape
Manipulating a virus to make it more deadly or transmissible can help scientists to answer important questions about how the microbe evolved or how to kill it. But it is tricky to determine when the risk of accidentally releasing such a pathogen outweighs the benefits of this ‘gain-of-function’ research. [Nature News] Editorial

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells, Development, and Cancer Biology (University of California, Santa Cruz)

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell Biology (University of South Carolina)

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

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

Laboratory Head – Stem Cell Biology (RIKEN)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – HMGA Chromatin Remodeling Proteins in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

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