ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.27 | Jul 13 2016

TOP STORY

The Dynamic Interactome and Genomic Targets of Polycomb Complexes during Stem-Cell Differentiation

Researchers used quantitative interaction proteomics and genome-wide profiling to study Polycomb group proteins in mouse embryonic stem cells and neural progenitor cells. [Nat Struct Mol Biol] Abstract

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Human Serum-Derived Protein Removes the Need for Coating in Defined Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture

Scientists present a completely defined, xeno-free medium that supports long-term propagation of human pluripotent stem cells on uncoated tissue culture plastic. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Integrating Epigenomic Data and 3D Genomic Structure with a New Measure of Chromatin Assortativity

Scientists used high-resolution promoter capture Hi-C and Hi-Cap data as well as ChIA-PET data from mouse embryonic stem cells to investigate promoter-centered chromatin interaction networks and calculate the presence of specific epigenomic features in the chromatin fragments constituting the nodes of the network. [Genome Biol] Full Article

The Transcriptomes of Novel Marmoset Monkey Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Reflect Distinct Genomic Features

Researchers showed that quantitative chromosome-wide transcriptome analyses precisely reflect trisomies present in both morula-derived embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines. They also demonstrated that the female ESC lines exhibit different states of X-inactivation which is impressively reflected by the abundance of the lncRNA X inactive-specific transcript. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Gene Correction of iPSCs from a Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Patient Normalizes the Lymphoid Developmental and Functional Defects

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were derived from a Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) patient (WAS-iPSC) and the endogenous chromosomal WAS locus was targeted with a wtWAS-2A-eGFP transgene using zinc finger nucleases to generate corrected WAS-iPSC. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress Reduces Proliferation in Embryonic Stem Cells via FOXO3A/β-Catenin-Dependent Transcription of p21^cip1

Investigators showed that long-term exposure of embryonic stem cells to diabetic glucose (Glc) inhibits their proliferation, thereby mimicking in vivo findings. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Using Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Wild-Type Mice to Develop a Gene Augmentation-Based Strategy to Treat CLN3-Associated Retinal Degeneration

Independent lines of induced pluripotent stem cells were generated from two patients with molecularly confirmed mutations in CLN3, the gene mutated in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract

Small Molecule Induction of Canine Embryonic Stem Cells towards Naïve Pluripotency

Investigators converted leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-dependent and fibroblast growth factor 2-dependent canine embryonic stem cells resembling primed pluripotent stem cells towards a naïve pluripotent state using LIF and inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3β and mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 1/2. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Differentiation/Purification Protocol for Retinal Pigment Epithelium from Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Research Tool

The authors established a novel protocol for differentiation of retinal pigment epithelium with high purity from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Distinct MicroRNA Expression Signatures of Porcine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells under Mouse and Human ESC Culture Conditions

Investigators performed small RNA sequencing to profile the miRNA expression in porcine fibroblasts, human porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) and mouse piPSCs. [PLoS One] Full Article

Embryonic Stem Cells: A Novel Paradigm to Study Proteostasis?

The authors review new insights into proteostasis of embryonic stem cells and the questions raised by these findings. [FEBS J] Abstract

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

Asterias Biotherapeutics Completes Enrollment and Dosing for the First Efficacy Cohort of the AST-OPC1 SCiSTAR Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial in Complete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced completion of enrollment and dosing of five patients in the first efficacy cohort of the SCiSTAR study, a Phase I/IIa clinical trial evaluating activity of escalating doses of AST-OPC1 (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells) in newly injured patients with sensory and motor complete cervical spinal cord injury. [Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

AiVita Biomedical Awarded CIRM Grant for Development of 3D-Transplantable ‘Retinas’

AiVita Biomedical announced that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has approved the company to collaborate on an early translational research awards grant for the development of stem cell-derived 3D-transplantable retinas to treat vision loss. [AiVita Biomedical (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Selling Stem Cells in the USA: Assessing the Direct-to-Consumer Industry

Direct-to-consumer marketing of unapproved stem cell interventions is a well-known phenomenon in countries with lax medical regulations. However, an examination of Internet-based marketing claims revealed widespread promotion of such interventions by businesses based in the United States. Such commercial activity suggests that regulatory agencies must better oversee this marketplace. [Cell Stem Cell] Editorial

Major Funders Launch International Repository of Cutting-Edge Cancer Models

U.S. and European funding agencies are launching the Human Cancer Models Initiative, which aims to give the research community tumor cells that behave more like actual human tumors. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 11^th International BMP Conference
October 26-30, 2016
Boston, United States

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

NEW Faculty Position – Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry (University of Poitiers)

Technical Sales Representative (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Postdoctoral Fellowship(s) – Deciphering the Link Between Adhesion and Pluripotency (The Danish Stem Cell Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology (University of California, Davis)

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

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 – Stem Cell Metabolism and Type 2 Diabetes Risk (Joslin Diabetes Center)

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