ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.25 | Jun 29 2016

TOP STORY

Zfp281 Coordinates Opposing Functions of Tet1 and Tet2 in Pluripotent States

Investigators performed comparative RNA sequencing of mouse embryonic stem cells and defined a pluripotent cell fate gene signature associated with acquisition of naive and primed pluripotency. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Human Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Model of Trophoblast Differentiation in Both Normal Development and Disease

Scientists describe a reproducible protocol, using defined medium containing bone morphogenetic protein 4 by which human pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into CDX2⁺/p63⁺ cytotrophoblast stem-like cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Fibrinogen Induces RUNX2 Activity and Osteogenic Development from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors used a runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2)-YFP reporter system to characterize the novel ability of fibrinogen to mediate human osteogenic development from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in defined conditions. [Stem Cells] Abstract

TRIM28 Is an Epigenetic Barrier to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Reprogramming

Scientists used a large-scale shRNA screen to identify epigenetic modifiers that act as barriers to reprogramming. They uncovered an important role for TRIM28 in cells resisting transition between somatic and pluripotent states. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Differentiation and Characterization of Dopaminergic Neurons from Baboon Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Scientists differentiated baboon fibroblast-derived induced pluripotent stem cells into dopaminergic neurons with the application of specific morphogens and growth factors. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Histone Modifications and p53 Binding Poise the p21 Promoter for Activation in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Researchers revealed a unique epigenetic strategy used by embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to poise undesired p53 target genes, thus balancing the maintenance of pluripotency in the undifferentiated state with a robust response to differentiation signals, while utilizing p53 activity to maintain genomic stability and homeostasis in ESCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Vitamin C Promotes Pluripotency of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells via the Histone Demethylase JARID1A

Researchers found that a natural compound, vitamin C, augmented pluripotency in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and reduced unwanted spontaneous differentiation during iPS cells maintenance. [Biol Chem] Abstract

The Aberrant DNA Methylation Profile of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Is Connected to the Reprogramming Process and Is Normalized during In Vitro Culture

The authors used MethylScreen technology to determine the DNA methylation profile of pluripotency and differentiation markers in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines from different source cell types compared to human embryonic stem cells and hiPSC source cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Reactivation of Endogenous Genes and Epigenetic Remodeling Are Barriers for Generating Transgene-Free Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Pig

Researchers investigated characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and reprogramming mechanisms in pig. The iPSCs were stably maintained over an extended period with potential in vitro differentiation into three germ layers. [PLoS One] Full Article

Adapting Preclinical Benchmarks for First-in-Human Trials of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Therapies

The authors review existing regulatory frameworks for preclinical requirements and assess how their underlying principles may best be applied in the context of human embryonic stem cell-based interventions for the therapy of Parkinson’s disease. This research will help to address the question of when it is ethically justified to start first-in-human trials in stem cell translational medicine. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field.

Cellular Dynamics and the National Eye Institute Establish a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to Advance Cell Transplantation Therapy for the Treatment of Retinal Degenerative Disease Using iPSC-Derived Cells

Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. announced that it has entered into a CRADA with the National Eye Institute to conduct research to advance a cell transplantation therapy for the treatment of retinal degenerative disease using retinal pigment epithelium derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. [Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.] Press Release

The Re-Programmer: Qian Receives Global Award for Stem Cell Research

The 36-year-old assistant professor at University of Northern Carolina School of Medicine’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine has been recognized internationally for her scientific developments in cellular reprogramming and stem cell research. Qian is the first-ever recipient of the Boyalife, Science and Science Translational Medicine Award in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. [University of Northern Carolina] Press Release

NIH Should Abandon Controversial Effort to Update Human Research Rules, Says National Academies Panel

Stop what you are doing—now!—and wait for more discussion and instruction. That’s the blunt message that a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee on reforming federal regulation of U.S. research sent to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Out, Out Red Tape: Congress Weighs Bills to Reduce Regulatory Burden on Academic Science

The government’s oversight of campus-based research is larded with requirements that are inefficient, redundant, and simply make no sense. Influential lawmakers from both parties are hoping to make a significant dent in the problem by tying the issue to broader pieces of legislation moving through Congress. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support U.S. Research and Education

The U.S. science community got a big pat on the back today from members of the Senate commerce and science committee. The senators delivered their encouraging message in the form of a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize programs at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology and tweak policies on science education and innovation across the federal government. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Researchers Deplore U.K. Decision to Leave the European Union

U.K. researchers and their organizations have reacted with dismay to the decision by the U.K. electorate to leave the European Union. Science and technology were not a major talking point during the referendum campaign, but numerous scientists and research organizations urged voters to preserve the United Kingdom’s E.U. membership. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Stem Cell Society Singapore (SCSS) Symposium 2016
November 7-8, 2016
Singapore, Singapore

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the ESC & iPSC community.

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Bone and Stem Cell Research (University of Connecticut Health)

Technical Sales Representative (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Myogenic and Progenitor Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology and Stem Cell Biology Research (City of Hope)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Epigenetics (Institut of Molecular Biology)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bioscience Research (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Bioinformatics Exploring Early Human Development and Stem Cell Biology (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell/Genome Editing/Neuroscience (University of California, Davis)

Postdoctoral Fellow (Joslin Diabetes Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation (Washington University School of Medicine)

Scientist – Target Validation (Innate Pharma)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in ESC & iPSC News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.