ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.43 | Nov 2 2016

TOP STORY

Single-Cell Sequencing of the Small-RNA Transcriptome

The authors present a single-cell method for small-RNA sequencing and apply it to naive and primed human embryonic stem cells and cancer cells. Analysis of microRNAs and fragments of tRNAs and small nucleolar RNAs reveals the potential of microRNAs as markers for different cell types and states. [Nat Biotechnol] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

A Single-Cell Roadmap of Lineage Bifurcation in Human ESC Models of Embryonic Brain Development

Scientists integrated single-cell RNA sequencing and clonal analyses to reveal lineage trees and molecular signals underlying early forebrain and mid/hindbrain cell differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Light-Patterned RNA Interference of 3D-Cultured Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Researchers developed a new method of spatially controlled gene regulation in 3D-cultured human embryonic stem cells using hollow gold nanoshells and near-infrared (NIR) light. Targeted cell(s) are discriminated from neighboring cell(s) by focusing NIR light emitted from a two-photon microscope. [Adv Mater] Abstract

Characterization and Transplantation of Enteric Neural Crest Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human induced pluripotent stem cells were induced to differentiate into neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) efficiently. When co-cultured with smooth muscle layers of ganglionic gut tissue, the NCSCs differentiated into different subtypes of mature enteric-like neurons expressing nitric oxide synthase, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, choline acetyltransferase or calretinin with typical electrophysiological characteristics of functional neurons. [Mol Psychiatry] Full Article

BMP-SMAD-ID Promotes Reprogramming to Pluripotency by Inhibiting p16/INK4A-Dependent Senescence

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) patients carry a missense mutation in ACVR1 [617G > A (R206H)] that leads to hyperactivation of BMP-SMAD signaling. Contrary to a previous study, scientists showed that FOP fibroblasts showed an increased efficiency of induced pluripotent stem cell generation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Vulnerability of Purkinje Cells Generated from Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6 Patient-Derived iPSCs

The authors succeeded in generating differentiated Purkinje cells that carry patient genes by combining disease-specific iPSCs and self-organizing culture technologies. Patient-derived Purkinje cells exhibit increased levels of full-length Cav2.1 protein but decreased levels of its C-terminal fragment and downregulation of the transcriptional targets TAF1 and BTG1. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Widespread Chromatin Accessibility at Repetitive Elements Links Stem Cells with Human Cancer

Investigators found that the chromatin environment of Ewing sarcoma, a mesenchymally derived tumor, is shared with primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Accessibility at repetitive elements in MSCs offers a permissive environment that is exploited by the critical oncogene responsible for this cancer. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Distinct Enhancer Activity of Oct4 in Naive and Primed Mouse Pluripotency

The authors generated double transgenic mice carrying both Oct4-ΔPE-GFP and Oct4-ΔDE-tdTomato (RFP), enabling them to simultaneously monitor the activity of distal enhancer (DE) and proximal enhancer (PE). Oct4 expression is stage-specifically regulated by DE and PE during embryonic and germ cell development. Using this dual reporter system, they successfully cultured pure populations of naive (GFP⁺RFP⁻) and primed (GFP⁻RFP⁺) pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Analysis of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Carrying 22q11.2 Deletion

The authors established human-induced pluripotent stem cells from two schizophrenia patients with the 22q11.2 deletion (two cell lines from each subject, total of four cell lines) and three controls (total of four cell lines). Neurosphere size, neural differentiation efficiency, neurite outgrowth, cellular migration and the neurogenic-to-gliogenic competence ratio were significantly reduced in patient-derived cells. [Transl Psychiatry] Full Article | Press Release

The Promises and Challenges of Human Brain Organoids as Models of Neuropsychiatric Disease

The authors discuss the advantages, limitations and future applications of human brain organoids as in vitro models of neuropsychiatric disease. [Nat Med] Full Article

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

Over Half a Billion in Research Council Grant to Karolinska Institute (KI) Researchers

The Swedish Research Council announced the grants it will be awarding in the category of medicine and health. The total sum is almost 980 million Swedish krona(SEK), of which KI researchers will receive SEK 524,325,017. [Karolinska Institute] Press Release

Cedars-Sinai Receives Approval to Test Novel Combined Stem Cell and Gene Therapy for ALS Patients

Cedars-Sinai regenerative medicine investigators have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to test a combination stem cell-gene therapy they developed to stall the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurological disease that causes progressive paralysis and ultimately death. [Cedars-Sinai] Press Release

Publisher Pulls 58 Articles by Iranian Scientists over Authorship Manipulation

A tranche of 58 articles authored by 282 Iran-based researchers were retracted by a leading scientific publisher, which said it had found signs that the peer review and publication processes had been compromised. [Nature News] Editorial

Young Scientists Ditch Postdocs for Biotech Start-Ups

There is a vanguard of young biomedical scientists who have started companies instead of taking the conventional academic path and pursuing postdoctoral studies after their PhDs. Among the factors driving this change are an infusion of money into early-stage biotech investing, the emergence of biotech incubators and the scarcity of academic jobs in science. [Nature News] Editorial

Beyond Trump vs Clinton: A Scientist’s Guide to the US Election

Choices that voters make will influence other levels of government — and some of these decisions will steer the course of science and science policy. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Stem Cells & Cancer
February 12-17, 2017
Barga, Italy

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (University of Sheffield)

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

NYSCF Investigator – Stem Cell And Neuroscience (New York Stem Cell Foundation)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells (University of California – San Francisco)

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

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

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)

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)

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