ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.01 | Jan 13 2016

FOXD3 Regulates Pluripotent Stem Cell Potential by Simultaneously Initiating and Repressing Enhancer Activity
Scientists evaluated regulation of enhancer activity during differentiation of embryonic stem to epiblast cells and uncovered the forkhead transcription factor FOXD3 as a major regulator of the developmental potential of both pluripotent states. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Pluripotency-Associated miR-290/302 Family of MicroRNAs Promote the Dismantling of Naive Pluripotency
Investigators revealed microRNAs (miRNAs) as an important class of regulators potentiating embryonic stem cells to transition from naive to primed pluripotency, and uncovers context-dependent functions of the miR-290/302 family of miRNAs at different developmental stages. [Cell Res] Full Article

Reprogramming Triggers Endogenous L1 and Alu Retrotransposition in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists applied retrotransposon capture sequencing to eight human induced pluripotent stem cells lines and three human embryonic stem cell lines, revealing endogenous LINE-1 (L1), Alu and SINE-VNTR-Alu mobilization during reprogramming and pluripotent stem cell cultivation. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Enhanced Engraftment, Proliferation, and Therapeutic Potential in Heart Using Optimized Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes
To optimize graft cells for cardiac reconstruction, investigators compared the engraftment efficiency of intramyocardially-injected undifferentiated-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), day 4 mesodermal cells, and day 8, day 20, and day 30 purified iPSC-cardiomyocytes after initial differentiation by tracing the engraftment ratio using in vivo bioluminescence imaging. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release

BMP Sustains Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal through Distinct Functions of Different Krüppel-like Factors
The authors examined the roles of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 using mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) in naive and primed states. SMAD1 and SMAD5, which transduce BMP signals, recognize enhancer regions together with KLF4 and KLF5 in naive mESCs. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Overcoming Pluripotent Stem Cell Dependence on the Repair of Endogenous DNA Damage
Investigators reveal that pluripotent stem cells possess hyperactive CHK1 signaling that restricts their self-renewal in the absence of error-free DNA repair. [Stem Cell Reports]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Regulation of c-Myc Expression by Ahnak Promotes Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generation
Researchers showed that inhibition of Ahnak can promote generation of induced pluripotent stem cells via up-regulation of endogenous c-Myc. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Expression of Ribosomal RNA and Protein Genes in Human Embryonic Stem Cells Is Associated with the Activating H3K4me3 Histone Mark
Investigators tested the hypothesis that expression of ribosomal RNA and ribosomal protein genes contribute to the ability of human embryonic stem cells to proliferate indefinitely. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

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GE Healthcare, FedDev Ontario Commit CAD $40 Million for New CCRM Led Center to Solve Cell Therapy Manufacturing Challenges
GE Healthcare, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and the Center for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) are building a center for advanced therapeutic cell technologies in Toronto with an investment of $40 million from GE and FedDev Ontario. [Center for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

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Cashing in on Transparency in Science
Psychologist Brian Nosek believes that reproducibility is a core principle of science. To promote the idea, he co-founded a nonprofit organization in 2013 that allows scientists to publish a description of their experiments before they conduct them. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (Krembil Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (University of Cambridge)

Science Content Writer (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Stem Cell Production Scientist (Definigen Ltd)

Scientist – Cell Biology (Semma Therapeutics)

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)

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

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