ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.16 | Apr 27 2016

Interactions between Pluripotency Factors Specify cis-Regulation in Embryonic Stem Cells
The authors investigated how interactions between pluripotency transcription factors (TFs) affect cis-regulation. They created hundreds of synthetic cis-regulatory elements comprised of combinations of binding sites for pluripotency TFs and measured their expression in mouse embryonic stem cells. [Genome Res] Abstract

Epigenetic Profiles Signify Cell Fate Plasticity in Unipotent Spermatogonial Stem and Progenitor Cells
Investigators found in spermatogonial stem and progenitor cells that promoters essential to maintenance and differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are enriched with histone H3-lysine4 and -lysine 27 trimethylations. These bivalent modifications are maintained at most somatic promoters after conversion, bestowing multipotent adult spermatogonial-derived stem cells an ESC-like promoter chromatin. [Nat Commun] Full Article

A Novel Lineage Restricted, Pericyte-Like Cell Line Isolated from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers developed a method comparable to GMP quality protocols for deriving self-renewing perivascular progenitors from the human embryonic stem cell, line ESI-017. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Culture Conditions Have an Impact on the Maturation of Traceable, Transplantable Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Otic Progenitor Cells
An embryonic stem cell line derived from an Atoh1-green fluorescent protein transgenic mouse was used to track the generation of otic progenitors, initial hair cells and to compare these two differentiation systems. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Assessment of Developmental Cardiotoxic Effects of Some Commonly Used Phytochemicals in Mouse Embryonic D3 Stem Cell Differentiation and Chick Embryonic Cardiomyocyte Micromass Culture Models
Researchers showed that eugenol demonstrated effects on cell activity and ROS production, as well as decreasing the contractile activity and protein content at high concentrations in both systems. Additionally, α-bisabolol at high concentrations decreased the contractile activity and cell activity and in the stem cell system induced ROS production and decreased protein content. [Reprod Toxicol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Forced Expression of Hnf1b/Foxa3 Promotes Hepatic Fate of Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators hypothesized that lentivirus-mediated inducible expression of hepatic lineage transcription factors could enhance mouse embryonic stem cells to hepatocyte-like cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Generation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line Expressing zsGreen in Cholinergic Neurons Using CRISPR/Cas9 System
Investigators showed that the choline acetyltransferase-zsGreen human embryonic stem cell reporter cell lines retain the features of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

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AstraZeneca Launches Integrated Genomics Approach to Transform Drug Discovery and Development
AstraZeneca and its global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, announced an integrated genomics initiative to transform drug discovery and development across its entire research and development pipeline. [AstraZeneca] Press Release

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Germany to Continue Building Its Ivy League
The program designed to create a German Ivy League will be extended indefinitely, giving a handful of the country’s top universities a yearly bonus of at least €10 million in extra funding, the German government announced. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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NEW Research Professional Officer – Genome-Editing and iPSC Biology (University of Queensland)

NEW Scientist and Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cells (National Institutes of Health)

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell/Genome Editing/Neuroscience/Neurodegeneration (Brigham & Women’s Hospital)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Genomics and Stem Cells (Uniklinik Koln)

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.)

Cell Culture Technician (California Institute of Technology)

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)

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