ESC & iPSC News 11.46 November 23, 2016 | |
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TOP STORYSynthetic Recording and in Situ Readout of Lineage Information in Single Cells Researchers describe a new synthetic system that enables cells to record lineage information and event histories in the genome in a format that can be subsequently read out in single cells in situ. This system, termed Memory by Engineered Mutagenesis with Optical In situ Readout (MEMOIR), is based on a set of barcoded recording elements termed scratchpads. To demonstrate a proof of principle of MEMOIR, they engineered mouse embryonic stem cells to contain multiple scratchpads and other recording components. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Inhibition of mTOR Induces a Paused Pluripotent State Scientists reported that the partial inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a major nutrient sensor and promoter of growth3, induces reversible pausing of mouse blastocyst development and allows their prolonged culture ex vivo. Paused blastocysts remain pluripotent and competent—able to give rise to embryonic stem cells and live, fertile mice. They showed that both naturally diapaused blastocysts in vivo and paused blastocysts ex vivo display pronounced reductions in mTOR activity, translation, histone modifications associated with gene activity and transcription. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release Researchers used a tissue-engineering approach with embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells to generate human intestinal tissue containing a functional enteric nervous system. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release Insights into Nucleosome Organization in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells through Chemical Mapping Investigators developed a chemical biology approach to determine mammalian nucleosome positions genome-wide. They uncovered surprising features of nucleosome organization in mouse embryonic stem cells. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Researchers outlined a regulatory network that involves the p53 tumor suppressor family and the Wnt pathway acting together with the TGF-β pathway in mesendodermal differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem cells. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract EPOP Functionally Links Elongin and Polycomb in Pluripotent Stem Cells The cellular plasticity of pluripotent stem cells is thought to be sustained by genomic regions that display both active and repressive chromatin properties. These regions exhibit low levels of gene expression, yet the mechanisms controlling these levels remain unknown. The authors described Elongin BC as a binding factor at the promoters of bivalent sites. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract TET-Dependent Regulation of Retrotransposable Elements in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Researchers performed a detailed investigation of the role of ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes in the regulation of transposable elements in mouse embryonic stem cells. [Genome Biol] Full Article DNA Methylation Directs Genomic Localization of Mbd2 and Mbd3 in Embryonic Stem Cells Two methyl-CpG binding domain proteins, Mbd2 and Mbd3, were previously shown to bind methylated or hydroxymethylated DNA, respectively; however, both of these findings have been disputed. The authors investigated this controversy using experimental approaches and re-analysis of published data and found no evidence for methylation-independent functions of Mbd2 or Mbd3. [Elife] Full Article Investigators demonstrated that doxorubicin treatment initially led to cell-cycle arrest at G2/M in embryonic stem cells, followed by the occurrence of massive apoptosis. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article Investigators described the generation of connexin (Cx)43/Cx45-double deficient mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells to achieve almost complete breakdown of gap junctional intercellular communication. Cre-loxP induced deletion of both, Cx43 and Cx45, results in a block of differentiation in embryoid bodies without affecting pluripotency marker expression and proliferation in ES cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract Scientists developed a rapid small molecule based screen to assess the endodermal potential of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), based solely on definitive endoderm morphology. They demonstrated the efficacy of this screen using 10 different hPSCs, including 4 human embryonic stem cell lines and 6 human induced pluripotent stem cell lines. [Sci Rep] Full Article Researchers reported that Connexin 32-mediated gap junctional intercellular communication is necessary for human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocytes during step-wise hepatic lineage restriction and maturation. [Sci Rep] Full Article Using inducible, stably transfected human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) capable of the shRNA-mediated knockdown of HMGB1 and HMGB2, scientists provided evidence that the downregulation of HMGB1 and/or HMGB2 in undifferentiated hESCs does not affect the stemness of the cells and induces only minor changes to the proliferation rate, cell-cycle profile, and apoptosis. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Using the algorithm stochastic inference on lineage trees, the authors studied the stochastic expression dynamics of Nanog in mouse embryonic stem cells. [Cell Syst] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | |
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REVIEWSCRISPR-Cas9 System as a Versatile Tool for Genome Engineering in Human Cells The authors discuss the most recent advancements in the molecular basis of the type II CRISPR/Cas system and encapsulate applications and elements affecting its use in human cells. They also propose possible applications covering its uses ranging from basic science to implementation in the clinic. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWS$25 Million Awarded to Center for Study of Regulatory Science The FDA is funding a collaboration between Stanford and UCSF to improve the regulatory infrastructure that helps to shape modern biomedical research. [Stanford Medicine] Press Release Salk Institute Awarded $25 Million Grant from Helmsley Charitable Trust The Salk Institute for Biological Studies has received a $25 million grant—a renewal of the largest research gift in the Institute’s 56-year history—that will be used to continue exploring an ambitious range of projects aimed at understanding the role chronic inflammation plays in driving human disease. [Salk Institute for Biological Studies] Press Release Center for Regenerative Medicine Receives Three Prestigious NIH Awards To Further Stem Cell Research The Center for Regenerative Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine has received three prestigious awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to further its commitment to induced pluripotent stem cell research and education. [Boston University School of Medicine] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSNgAgo Gene-Editing Controversy Escalates in Peer-Reviewed Papers A heated dispute over gene-editing that began online is now playing out in the scientific literature. Six months ago, Chinese researchers reported that an enzyme called NgAgo could be used to edit mammalian genes – and that it might be more accurate and more versatile than the popular CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique. [Nature News] Editorial Immigrant and Minority Scientists Shaken by Trump Win Scientist are reconsidering whether to work or study in the United States. Worries include job prospects, discrimination — and safety. [Nature News] Editorial Peer-Review ‘Heroes’ Do Lion’s Share of the Work In 2015, the number of scientists in the life sciences far exceeded the demand on them for peer review, according to Michail Kovanis, a computational physicist at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris, and his colleagues. Yet their study also suggests – based on data obtained from a rapidly-growing website of peer-review activity – that 20% of the scientists undertook between 69% and 94% of reviews last year, lending credence to some researchers’ complaints that they are overburdened. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Gordon Research Conference: Cell Growth & Proliferation Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Developmental Biology (RIKEN) Research Assistant – Human Germ Cell Biology (University of Cambridge) Senior Scientist – Regenerative Medicine (Astellas) Postdoctoral Position – Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Biology (Lund University) Research Fellow – Metabolic Diseases (The Singapore Bioimaging Consortium) Postdoctoral Position – Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (University of Sheffield) NYSCF Investigator – Stem Cell And Neuroscience (New York Stem Cell Foundation) Postdoctoral Fellow – Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells (University of California – San Francisco) Research Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cells Self-Renewal Program and Cell Cycle (KU Leuven) Assistant or Associate Member – Stem CellGene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology (University of California, Davis) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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Home ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.46 | Nov 23 2016