ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.15 | Apr 20 2016

Dynamic and Flexible H3K9me3 Bridging via HP1β Dimerization Establishes a Plastic State of Condensed Chromatin
The authors defined a fundamental mechanism for chromatin higher order structural changes caused by heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) proteins, which might contribute to the plastic nature of condensed chromatin. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Melatonin Improves Reprogramming Efficiency and Proliferation of Bovine-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers studied how primary cultured bovine neural stem cells (NSC) isolated from the retinal neural layer could transform into NSC-derived pluripotent stem cells cell. [J Pineal Res] Abstract

Small Molecules Facilitate Single Factor-Mediated Hepatic Reprogramming
Investigators report that direct conversion into induced hepatocyte-like cells is a stepwise transition involving the erasure of somatic memory, mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, and induction of hepatic cell fate in a sequential manner. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Distinct Signaling Requirements for the Establishment of ESC Pluripotency in Late-Stage EpiSCs
Investigators showed that chemical inhibition of casein kinase 1alpha induces the conversion of recalcitrant late-stage epiblast stem cell (EpiSC) into embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency. [Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract

MicroRNAs of the miR-290–295 Family Maintain Bivalency in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Examining the contribution of microRNAs (miRNAs) to the regulation of bivalent genes, researchers found that the miRNA biogenesis enzyme DICER was required for the binding of the PRC2 core components EZH2 and SUZ12, and for the presence of the PRC2-mediated histone modification H3K27me3 at many bivalent genes. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article

Nucleosome Positioning Changes during Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
To better understand nucleosome positioning, scientists used MNase-seq to investigate changes that occur as human embryonic stem cells transition to nascent mesoderm and then to smooth muscle cells. [Epigenetics] Abstract

Improved Survival and Initiation of Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Hepatocyte-Like Cells upon Culture in William’s E Medium followed by Hepatocyte Differentiation Inducer Treatment
Although human induced pluripotent stem cells initiate hepatocyte differentiation, most die within 7 days. In this study, the authors investigated both hepatocyte differentiation inducer and conventional media for their potential to improve cell survival. [PLoS One] Full Article

Inhibition of Lysine-Specific Demethylase-1 (LSD1/KDM1A) Promotes the Adipogenic Differentiation of hESCs Through H3K4 Methylation
The authors investigated the functional role of LSD1 during the adipogenic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) involving the demethylation of H3K4. They also found that treating hESCs with the LSD1 inhibitor CBB1007 promotes the adipogenic differentiation of hESCs. [Stem Cell Rev] Full Article

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SBP and GSK Create New Center for Translational Neuroscience
SBP and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a global pharmaceutical company, have announced the creation of the SBP-GSK Center for Translational Neuroscience. The new Center, located on the SBP campus in La Jolla, will bring together experts from SBP and GSK to investigate factors that influence brain function and potentially reverse or slow down neurodegeneration, with the aim of identifying and validating new therapeutic targets. [Sanford Burnham Prebys] Press Release

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UK Government Pulls Back from Rule ‘Gagging’ Researchers
UK university scientists who receive public funds will not be prevented by an ‘anti-lobbying’ rule from speaking about the political implications of their work, the government has confirmed. [Nature News] Editorial

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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 Research Associate – Stem Cell Biology and Cell Differentiation (University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet)

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

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)

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