ESC & iPSC News Volume 10.46 | Dec 9 2015

Dynamically Reorganized Chromatin Is the Key for the Reprogramming of Somatic Cells to Pluripotent Cells
Scientists determined the genome-wide nucleosome coverage and histone methylation occupancy in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and pre-iPSCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

GLUT3 and PKM2 Regulate OCT4 Expression and Support the Hypoxic Culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers investigated the regulation of glucose metabolism in human embryonic stem cells and whether this might impact OCT4 expression. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Size-Dependent Effects of Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoparticles on Cellular Functions of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists demonstrated the size-dependent effects of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles on controlling fate and cellular functions of mouse embryonic stem cells. [Nanomedicine (Lond)] Abstract

Genome-Wide Studies Reveal That H3K4me3 Modification in Bivalent Genes Is Dynamically Regulated during the Pluripotent Cell Cycle and Stabilized upon Differentiation
By mapping genomic enrichment of H3K4me3/H3K27me3 in pure populations of human embryonic stem cells in G2, mitotic, and G1 phases of the cell cycle, researchers found striking variations in the levels of H3K4me3 through the G2-M-G1 transition. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

G1 Checkpoint Is Compromised in Mouse ESCs Due to Functional Uncoupling of p53-p21Waf1 Signaling
A lack of functional p21/Waf1 was indispensable for maintaining self-renewal and pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Histone Modification Profiling Reveals Differential Signatures Associated with Human Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Differentiation
Scientists traced developmental stages using epigenome changes in human embryonic stem cells treated with drugs modulating either self-renewal or differentiation. [Proteomics] Abstract

Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Gene Expression Is Induced by Nanog and Oct4, Essential Pluripotent Stem Cells’ Transcription Factors
The authors studied the expression profile of multiple genes involved in antioxidant defense systems in both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. They found that the manganese superoxide dismutase gene was repressed during diverse differentiation protocols showing an expression pattern similar to the Nanog gene. [PLoS One] Full Article

A Combination of Culture Conditions and Gene Expression Analysis Can Be Used to Investigate and Predict hES Cell Differentiation Potential towards Male Gonadal Cells
The potential of three male human embryonic stem cell lines to differentiate towards male gonadal cells was explored by analyzing their gene expression profiles. [PLoS One] Full Article

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Funding in the Millions
Three scientists from TU Dresden have succeeded to raise starting grants of the European Research Council in 2015. [TU Dresden] Press Release

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Ireland Envisions 70% Spending Boost for Research
The Irish government released an ambitious five-year vision for stimulating innovation. Developed by several agencies, the plan calls for increasing total investment in R&D by about a third to 2.0% of gross domestic product. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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PhD Candidate – Embryonic Stem Cell and Molecular Research (Ghent University)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Regenerative Kidney Research (University of Montreal)

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)

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

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