ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.40 | Oct 12 2016

TOP STORY

Modeling and Correction of Structural Variations in Patient-Derived iPSCs Using CRISPR/Cas9

Scientists describe a detailed procedure for the modeling or correction of large chromosomal rearrangements and short nucleotide repeat expansions using engineered nucleases in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a healthy donor and patients with structural variations. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Polycomb Enables Primitive Endoderm Lineage Priming in Embryonic Stem Cells

Scientists found that intragenic levels of the polycomb mark H3K27me3 anti-correlate with changes in transcription, irrespective of the gene’s developmental trajectory or identity as a polycomb target. In contrast, promoter proximal H3K27me3 is markedly higher for primitive endoderm priming genes. [eLife] Full Article

DIGIT Is a Conserved Long Noncoding RNA that Regulates GSC Expression to Control Definitive Endoderm Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells

The authors combined genome-wide mapping of SMAD3 occupancy with expression analysis to identify long noncoding RNAs induced by activin signaling during endoderm differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Sirtuin 1 Promotes Deacetylation of Oct4 and Maintenance of Naive Pluripotency

Investigators discovered that the acetylation status of Oct4 regulates the induction of the primed pluripotency gene network. Maintenance of the naive state requires the NAD-dependent deacetylase, SirT1, which deacetylates Oct4. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Gadd45a Is a Heterochromatin Relaxer that Enhances iPS Cell Generation

Investigators describe a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching method to assess the dynamics of heterochromatin/euchromatin and showed significant heterochromatin loosening at the initial stage of reprogramming. [EMBO Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Targeted Differentiation of Regional Ventral Neuroprogenitors and Related Neuronal Subtypes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors report that sonic hedgehog-induced ventral neuroprogenitors under embryoid body (EB) conditions are fated to medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), while the adherent culture (AD) cells mostly adopt a floor-plate (FP) fate. The EB-MGE later on differentiates into GABA and cholinergic neurons, while the AD-FP favors dopaminergic neuron specification. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Increasing the Genetic Admixture of Available Lines of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors established 23 lines of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) from Brazilian individuals, and they report the analysis of their genomic ancestry. They showed that embryo-derived PSCs are mostly of European descent, while induced PSCs derived from participants of a national-wide Brazilian cohort study present high levels of admixed European, African and Native American genomic ancestry. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Homology Requirements for Efficient, Footprintless Gene Editing at the CFTR Locus in Human iPSCs with Helper-Dependent Adenoviral Vectors

Researchers investigated the effect of homology length on helper-dependent adenoviral vector targeting efficiency at the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator locus in induced pluripotent stem cells and found a positive correlation. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article

Mechanical Strain Stimulates Vasculogenesis and Expression of Angiogenesis Guidance Molecules of Embryonic Stem Cells through Elevation of Intracellular Calcium, Reactive Oxygen Species and Nitric Oxide Generation

Signaling molecules underlying mechanical stimulation of vasculogenesis and expression of angiogenesis guidance cues were investigated in embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Induction of Steroidogenic Cells from Adult Stem Cells and Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors highlight current research on the induction of steroidogenic cells from various stem cells. They also discuss the future direction of their clinical application. [Endocr J] Abstract

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

Six Researchers at UC San Diego Receive $5 Million from NIH for Transformative Research

Four biologists, a nanoengineer and a biophysicist at UC San Diego received a total of more than $5 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health to pursue innovative and transformative research projects. [UC San Diego] Press Release

Doernbecher Researchers Awarded more than $9 Million to Fight Fanconi Anemia

Thanks to a $9.9 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a team led by Markus Grompe, M.D., director of the Oregon Stem Cell Center at OHSU and the Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, will work to understand human response to novel drug treatments that have shown promise in FA-positive animal models. [Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)] Press Release

Grant Awards: Diversity Boost

A recruitment and retention program launched by the Howard Hughes Medical Institution in Chevy Chase, Maryland, aims to reduce barriers for women and under-represented minorities who seek academic-research careers in the life sciences. [Nature Careers] Editorial

Investors Flee as Firm Scraps RNA-Interference Drug Candidate

A prominent developer of drugs that use RNA interference has abandoned one of its leading candidates amid safety concerns — sending a fresh wave of worry through a field that has long struggled to bring treatments to market. [Nature News] Editorial

The Many Shades of European Postdoc Funding

Finding the right grant or fellowship to fund a postdoc can be a challenge, and the situation is all the more complex in Europe, where academic systems, career prospects, and living costs vary widely among countries. [Science Careers] Editorial

Brexit Government’s Anti-Immigration Stance Spooks UK Scientists

UK scientists say they’re dismayed by their new government’s toughened stance on curbing immigration, including ideas to restrict the flow of foreign students and workers. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Transcriptional and Epigenetic Control in Stem Cells
January 8-12, 2017
Olympic Valley, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cells, Cartilage Development and Disease (Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

NEW Staff Scientist/Research Assistant II – Pluripotent Stem Cells and Cartilage Biology (Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Histone and RNA Modifications in Totipotency, Pluripotent Embryonic Stem Cells and Embryo Development (Oslo University Hospital)

Research Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cells Self-Renewal Program and Cell Cycle (KU Leuven)

Faculty Position – Stem Cell Research (Stanford University)

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

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

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

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)

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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