ESC & iPSC News 12.05 February 8, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYOne-Step Generation of Conditional and Reversible Gene Knockouts Investigators present CRISPR–FLIP, a strategy that provides an efficient, rapid and scalable method for biallelic conditional gene knockouts in diploid or aneuploid cells, such as pluripotent stem cells, 3D organoids and cell lines, by co-delivery of CRISPR–Cas9 and a universal conditional intronic cassette. [Nat Methods] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Nano-on-Micro Fibrous Extracellular Matrices for Scalable Expansion of Human ES/iPS Cells Researchers developed a layered nano-on-micro fibrous cellular matrix mimicking extracellular matrix, named “fiber-on-fiber (FF)” matrix, which enables easy handling and manipulation of cultured cells. Their results showed that the FF matrix supports effective human pluripotent stem cell culture with maintenance of their pluripotency and normal chromosomes over two months, as well as effective scaled-up expansion for human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract In Vivo Human Somitogenesis Guides Somite Development from hPSCs Using somitogenesis-stage human embryos, the authors performed transcriptomic profiling of human presomitic mesoderm as well as nascent and developed somites. This information enabled them to develop an efficient protocol to derive somite cells in vitro from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Importantly, the in-vitro-differentiating cells progressively expressed markers of the distinct developmental stages that are known to occur during in vivo somitogenesis. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Scientists identify transient overexpression of the transcription factor NKX2-1 as a powerful inductive signal for the robust derivation of thyrocyte-like cells from mouse pluripotent stem cell-derived anterior foregut endoderm. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Researchers differentiated human induced-pluripotent stem cells into early smooth muscle cells, seeded onto a hybrid poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate/poly (L-lactide) scaffold and cultured in a bioreactor while exposed to pulsatile flow, towards maturation into contractile smooth muscle tissue. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Small RNA-Directed Epigenetic Programming of Embryonic Stem Cell Cardiac Differentiation To determine the molecular mechanisms involved and to explore whether such epigenetic regulations could play a role in early development, scientists used a cell culture system as close as possible to the embryonic state. They report efficient cardiac differentiation of embryonic stem cells induced by small non-coding RNAs with sequences of Cdk9, a key player in cardiomyocyte differentiation. [Sci Rep] Full Article Researchers exposed human pluripotent stem cells to rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor for varying exposure times. Pluripotency remained unaffected, until after prolonged exposure. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry metabolomics analysis identified differences between ROCK-treated and untreated cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article Scientists examined the epigenetic modifications and the transcriptome of two types of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and of partially reprogrammed iPSCs generated independently from adult cardiac and skin fibroblasts to assess any perturbations of the transcription program during reprogramming. [PLoS One] Full Article The authors demonstrated that differentiated trophoblasts from murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) endogenously expressed nik-related kinase (Nrk) and that Nrk disruption led to the enhanced proliferation of differentiated trophoblasts. [PLoS One] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSCellular Reprogramming for Clinical Cartilage Repair Two distinct approaches-induced pluripotent stem cell-mediated reprogramming and direct lineage conversion-are analyzed and compared according to criteria that encompass the qualification of the method and the derived chondrocytes for the purpose of clinical application. [Cell Biol Toxicol] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSBioTime, Inc. announced the acquisition of global rights to ophthalmology-related intellectual property assets from the University of Pittsburgh’s Medical Center, via the school’s Innovation Institute. The technology was developed in part in collaboration with BioTime scientists and includes composition and methodologies to develop 3-D retinal tissue derived from human pluripotent stem cells for implantation in patients with advanced stages of retinal degeneration. [BioTime, Inc.] Press Release Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced the company is extending the expiration date of certain warrants. The decision to extend the warrants takes into consideration Asterias’ recent announcement of positive interim efficacy results from its ongoing SCiStar Phase I/IIa clinical trial that showed additional motor function improvement at six months and nine months following administration of 10 million AST-OPC1 cells in patients with complete cervical spinal cord injuries. [Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSJapan Greenlights Clinical Tests on Donor iPS Cell Transplants The Japanese health ministry approved clinical research on a regenerative treatment that utilizes donated stem cells. In treating a degenerative eye disorder in the past, researchers used induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells harvested from the patient’s own body. Employing donated cells will likely reduce the cost and time of the procedure by about 90%. [Nikkei Inc.] Editorial ‘Riskiest Ideas’ Win $50 Million from Chan Zuckerberg Biohub The biomedical research initiative created by Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, physician Priscilla Chan, has awarded its first grants to scientists, on topics ranging from the genomics of obscure microbes to a memory-retrieval device. [Nature News] Editorial The Most Powerful Man in UK Science on His New Role Mark Walport is preparing to take on the most powerful job in UK science. From 2018, he will be the first head of a new central funding organization called UK Research and Innovation, which will oversee more than £6 billion of research funding per year. [Nature News] Editorial Updated: USDA Responds to Outcry over Removal of Animal Welfare Documents, Lawsuit Threats The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a statement regarding the removal of animal welfare reports from its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW hPSC Training Course: Reprogramming, Maintenance and Reversion to Naïve-Like State NEW Innovations in Cancer Research and Regenerative Medicine Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Computational Single Cell Genomics (University Medical Center Groningen) NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cellular Genetics (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) Head Scientist – iPSC Research (Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute) Postdoctoral Fellow – Multiple Areas (University of Oklahoma) Regulatory Support Scientist – Biological Product Development (Cook MyoSite, Inc.) Research Scientist – Stem Cell Gene Editing (Universal Cells Inc.) 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 12.05 | Feb 8 2017