ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.37 | Sep 21 2016

TOP STORY

Reprogramming of Mouse Retinal Neurons and Standardized Quantification of Their Differentiation in 3D Retinal Cultures

Researchers describe a method that does not require p53 inactivation but induces reprogramming in retinal cells from reprogrammable mice grown in aggregates with wild-type mouse retinal cells. After the first 10 days of reprogramming, the aggregates are then dispersed and plated on irradiated feeder cells to propagate and isolate individual induced pluripotent stem cells clones. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Global Landscape and Regulatory Principles of DNA Methylation Reprogramming for Germ Cell Specification by Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors uncovered regulatory principles for DNA methylation reprogramming during in vitro primordial germ cell (PGC) specification, in which mouse embryonic stem cells are induced into epiblast-like cells and then PGC-like cells. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

CDK1-PDK1-PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway Regulates Embryonic and Induced Pluripotency

Scientists aimed to understand how CDK1 can control pluripotency by reducing CDK1 activity to a level that has no effect on cell cycle progression. They demonstrated that high levels of CDK1 is associated with the pluripotency stage of human embryonic stem cells; and decreased CDK1 activity to a level without perturbing the cell cycle is sufficient to induce differentiation. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Distinctive Roles of Canonical and Noncanonical Wnt Signaling in Human Embryonic Cardiomyocyte Development

Investigators used human embryonic stem cells to analyze systematically in human cardiomyocyte development the expression of endogenous Wnt signaling components, monitor pathway activity, and dissect stage-specific requirements for canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling mechanisms using small-molecule inhibitors. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Effect of Bioink Properties on Printability and Cell Viability for 3D Bioplotting of Embryonic Stem Cells

Researchers systematically studied the influence of bioink properties and printing parameters on bioink printability and embryonic stem cell viability in the process of extrusion-based cell printing, also known as bioplotting. [Biofabrication] Abstract

Derivation of Transgene-Free Rat Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Approximating the Quality of Embryonic Stem Cells

Scientists used optimized culture conditions to isolate and establish rat embryonic stem cell lines and demonstrated they are fully competent for chimeric formation and germline transmission. They then used episomal vectors bearing eight reprogramming genes to improve rat induced pluripotent stem cell generation from Sprague-Dawley rat embryonic fibroblasts. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

The Ultrastructural Signature of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Investigators present a more complete look at human embryonic stem cells by electron microscopy, with a special emphasis on the architecture of the nucleus. They propose that there is an ultrastructural signature of pluripotent human cells. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

CXCR4 Activation Promotes Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Neural Stem Cells

Scientists aimed to identify G protein-coupled receptors that may play a role in the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to neural stem cells (NSCs). Using a feeder-free hESC neural differentiation protocol, they found that the expression of several chemokine receptors changed dramatically during the hESC/NSC transition. [Neuroscience] Abstract

Gelatin Scaffold Combined with Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4 Induces Odontoblast-Like Cell Differentiation Involving Integrin Profile Changes, Autophagy-Related Gene 10, and Wnt5 Sequentially in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

To examine integrin profiles and explore the early signaling cascade of odontoblastic differentiation in human induced pluripotent stem cells, researchers investigated the regulation of autophagy-related gene and wingless/int1 signaling in gelatin scaffold combined with bone morphogenetic protein-4-mediated odontoblastic differentiation. [Differentiation] Abstract

Embryonic Stem-Like Cells from Rabbit Blastocysts Cultured with Melatonin Could Differentiate into Three Germ Layers In Vitro and In Vivo

The authors derived rabbit ES-like cells from blastocysts of super-ovulated Japanese white rabbits using 10⁻⁷ M melatonin, 10 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor, and 1000 IU/mL human leukemia inhibitory factor in the culture medium. [Mol Reprod Dev] Abstract

Epigenetic Control of Reprogramming and Transdifferentiation by Histone Modifications

The authors discuss the roles of histone modifications on reprogramming and transdifferentiation and provide new insights into induction and promotion of the cell fate conversion by modulating histone modifications. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

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

UK Regulatory Authority Approves Cynata GvHD Clinical Trial

Cynata Therapeutics Limited has received approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to proceed with its Phase I clinical trial of CYP-001 in patients with steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). CYP-001 is Cynata’s lead Cymerus™ mesenchymal stem cell product. [Cynata Therapeutics Limited (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

$8 Million Grant to Support Research to Repair Hearts with Bioengineered Patch

The heart cannot regenerate muscle tissue after a heart attack has killed part of the muscle wall, and that dead tissue can strain surrounding muscle, leading to a lethal heart enlargement. To prevent this heart failure and restore heart function, researchers will work to create a bioengineered, human heart-tissue patch that is large, standardized and highly functional. [University of Alabama at Birmingham] Press Release

Titanic Clash over CRISPR Patents Turns Ugly

Much of the focus is on the teams centred at Berkeley and the Broad Institute, whose ‘foundational’ patents cover a wide swathe of CRISPR–Cas9 applications. Although Berkeley’s team filed for a patent first, the Broad opted for an expedited review process, and its patents were granted earlier. [Nature News] Editorial

Spain Joins Bandwagon for ‘Openness’ About Animal Research

The Spanish scientific community has pledged to become more transparent about animal research. Ninety research centers, universities, scientific societies, and companies around Spain have adopted a set of standards, launched by the Confederation of Spanish Scientific Societies, on how research organizations should open up communication channels about their use of laboratory animals. [Science Insider] Editorial

New Fellowship Aims to Increase Diversity in the Life Sciences

A new program aims to launch the careers of life scientists from underrepresented groups by providing up to 8 years of support, covering both the postdoctoral training and junior faculty stages. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program will award up to 15 recipients with $60,000 of salary support and $20,000 in flexible funds paid to their institutions for each of up to 4 years of postdoc training. [Science Insider] Editorial

NEW Global Forum on Transplantation Research and Technologies
November 28-30, 2016
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

NEW Stem Cells in Drug Discovery
March 6-7, 2017
Cambridge, United Kingdom

NEW Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine 2^nd International Congress
April 19-21, 2017
Mashhad, Iran

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

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

NEW Faculty Position – Stem Cell Research (Children’s Research Institute)

NEW Assistant or Associate Member – Stem CellGene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cellular Neuroscience, Stem Cell-Derived Neurons and Autism Research (Weill Cornell Medical School)

NEW Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (The Hospital for Sick Children)

Chair – Medical Biology (Masaryk University)

Research Technologist – Cancer Research (Penn State College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Stem Cell Biology & Immunology (Toronto General Research Institute & McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine)

Group Leader – Stem Cells and Aging (University of Queensland)

Postdoctoral Position – Metabolic Regulation of Embryonic and Stem Cell Biology (Joslin Diabetes Center)

Assistant Professor – Developmental Biology (Washington University School of Medicine)

Core Staff Scientist – Cancer Research (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Regenerative Medicine (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiovascular Stem Cell Biology (Yale University)

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

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

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