ESC & iPSC News Volume 10.44 | Nov 25 2015

Parthenogenetic Haploid Embryonic Stem Cells Efficiently Support Mouse Generation by Oocyte Injection
The authors showed that parthenogenetic (PG)-haploid embryonic stem cells (haESCs) exhibit highly similar gene expression profiles to those of androgenetic-haESCs, and after removal of H19 and Gtl2 differentially methylated DNA regions, DKO-PG-haESCs can efficiently produce semi-cloned pups. [Cell Res] Full Article

Combining Suppression of Stemness with Lineage-Specific Induction Leads to Conversion of Pluripotent Cells into Functional Neurons
The authors describe a strategy that relies on a combination of Sox2 inhibition with lineage-specific induction to promote efficient and selective differentiation of pluripotent P19 cells into neurons. [Chem Biol]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Selection and Dynamics of Embryonic Stem Cell Integration into Early Mouse Embryos
The process by which pluripotent cells incorporate into host embryos is of interest to investigate cell potency and cell fate decisions. By comparing a heterogeneous mix of undifferentiated and differentiating embryonic stem cell with more homogeneous undifferentiated culture, the authors examined the role of cellular heterogeneity in this process. [Development] Abstract | Full Article

The Specification and Maturation of Nociceptive Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators describe a system for efficiently guiding human embryonic stem cells into nociceptive neurons by first inducing these cells to the neural lineage. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Wnt/β-Catenin and LIF/Stat3 Signaling Pathways Converge on Sp5 to Promote Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal
Researchers found that the leukemia inhibitor factor (LIF)/Stat3 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways converge on Sp5 to promote mouse embryonic stem cell self-renewal. [J Cell Sci] Abstract | Full Article

Regulation of C-Myc Expression by Ahnak Promotes iPSC Generation
The authors showed that inhibition of Ahnak can promote generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) via up-regulation of endogenous c-Myc. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Recombinant Xeno-Free Vitronectin Supports Self-Renewal and Pluripotency in Protein Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Investigators tested whether recombinant human matrix proteins can support self-renewal and pluripotency of protein-induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs). After long term culture on recombinant human vitronectin in xeno-free conditions, piPSCs retained the expression of pluripotent markers. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods] Abstract

Generation of Airway Epithelial Cells with Native Characteristics from Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists generated airway epithelial cells from embryoid bodies by culturing them under serum-free conditions supplemented with Activin and bFGF and by the air-liquid interface method and characterized the induced pluripotent stem cell-derived airway epithelial cells in terms of their gene expression, immunoreactivity, morphology, and function. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Back and Forth in Time: Directing Age in iPSC-Derived Lineages
Following significant progress in manipulating cellular fate, the stem cell field will now have to face the new challenge of controlling cellular age, in order to fully harness the potential of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-technology to advance the research and cure of diseases of the aging brain. [Brain Res] Abstract

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

Two MD Anderson Faculty Named as Prestigious AAAS Fellows
Distinguished contributions to understanding p53 tumor suppression in stem cells and breakthrough advances in treating breast cancer have earned two scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center membership in a notable association of scholars. [The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release

From our sponsor:
Free Cell Stem Cell wallchart – Directed Differentiation of ESCs and iPSCs. Request your copy.

UK Scientists Celebrate Slight Rise in Research Budget
UK scientists’ worst funding fears have not come to pass. The country’s science budget will increase slightly in the coming years, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced as part of a much-anticipated government spending review. [Nature News] Editorial

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

NEW Assistant, Associate or Full Professor – Regenerative Vision Research (University of Montreal)

Team Leader/Professor/Associate Professor – Regenerative Medicine (Ji Nan University)

Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Scientist – Epigenomics and Systems Biology (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiac Regeneration (Duke University)

Postdoctoral Position – Modeling and Treatment of Human Skeletal Muscle Diseases (Duke University)

Team Leader Position – Developmental Biology (Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience/Stem Cell Research (University of California, Davis)

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – iPSC Research (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Position – Biomaterials for Cell Reprogramming (Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering)

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Worcester Polytechnic 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.