ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.13 | Apr 6 2016

Comparison of Syncytiotrophoblast Generated from Human Embryonic Stem Cells and from Term Placentas
Human embryonic stem cells readily commit to the trophoblast lineage after exposure to bone morphogenetic protein-4 and two small compounds, an activin A signaling inhibitor and a FGF2 signaling inhibitor. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

Multiphasic and Dynamic Changes in Alternative Splicing during Induction of Pluripotency Are Coordinated by Numerous RNA-Binding Proteins
Researchers profiled transcriptome-wide alternative splicing (AS) changes that occur during reprogramming of fibroblasts to pluripotency. This analysis revealed distinct phases of AS, including a splicing program that is unique to transgene-independent induced pluripotent stem cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Hmga2 Is Necessary for Otx2-Dependent Exit of Embryonic Stem Cells from the Pluripotent Ground State
Scientists demonstrated that Hmga2 accumulates soon after the induction of embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation. Its suppression hampers the exit of ESCs from the pluripotent ground state and their differentiation into epiblast-like stem cells. [BMC Biol] Full Article

Epiblastin A Induces Reprogramming of Epiblast Stem Cells Into Embryonic Stem Cells by Inhibition of Casein Kinase 1
Synthesis of a triamterene (TR)-derived compound collection and investigation for reprogramming of epiblast stem cells into embryonic stem cells identified casein kinases 1 α/δ/ɛ as responsible cellular targets of TR and unraveled the structural parameters that determine reprogramming. [Cell Chem Biol]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Different Concentrations of FGF Ligands, FGF2 or FGF8 Determine Distinct States of WNT-Induced Presomitic Mesoderm
Scientists employed reporters for the mesoderm/presomitic mesoderm (PSM) control genes T, Tbx6 and Msgn1 to investigate the differentiation of mouse ESCs from the naïve state via EpiSCs to PSM cells. They showed that the activation of WNT signaling by CHIR99021 in combination with FGF ligand induces embryo-like PSM at high efficiency. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Generation of Cloned Mice and Nuclear Transfer Embryonic Stem Cell Lines from Urine-Derived Cells
Scientists report the production of cloned mice from urine-derived cells collected noninvasively. Most of the urine-derived cells survived and were available as donors for nuclear transfer without any pretreatment. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Simulated Microgravity Modulates Differentiation Processes of Embryonic Stem Cells
To study the effects of altered gravity on the embryonic development processes researchers established an in vitro methodology allowing differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells under simulated microgravity within a fast-rotating clinostat and capture of microarray-based gene signatures. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Bioengineering a 3D Integumentary Organ System from iPS Cells Using an In Vivo Transplantation Model
The authors developed a novel in vivo transplantation model designated as a clustering-dependent embryoid body transplantation method and generated a bioengineered three-dimensional (3D) integumentary organ system, including appendage organs such as hair follicles and sebaceous glands, from induced pluripotent stem cells. [Sci Adv] Full Article

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Cal Poly Receives $2.6 Million Grant to Foster Regenerative Medicine Professionals
Cal Poly’s regenerative medicine program received a five-year, $2.6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Cal Poly was among just 15 programs funded by CIRM to support the training of a workforce capable of accelerating treatments involving regenerative medicine to patients with unmet clinical needs. [California Polytechnic State University] Press Release

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Groups Protest House Demands for Names of Fetal Tissue Researchers
A special investigative panel in the U.S. House of Representatives this week intensified its probe into the use of fetal tissue in biomedical research with a dozen new subpoenas aimed at researchers and abortion providers. [Science Insider] Editorial

Scientific Advisers Tapped to Guide Biden’s Cancer Moonshot
The National Cancer Institute named a blue ribbon panel of scientists and other experts to help guide Vice President Joe Biden’s ambitious $1 billion moonshot to cure cancer. [Science Insider] Editorial

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NEW PhD Position – DNA Demethylation and Development (Institut of Molecular Biology)

NEW Research Associate – Cell Biology (King’s College London)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Neural Differentiation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Biology Regenerative Medicine Institute (NUI Galway)

Staff Scientist – Molecular Biology (Institut of Molecular Biology)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Biology/Bioinformatics (Darmstadt, Germany)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Chromatin Biology (UT Southwestern Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Pluripotent Stem Cells, Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Neural Repair (University of Nebraksa Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – Immunology, Cancer, and Stem Cells (University of Connecticut)

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