ESC & iPSC News Volume 12.12 | Mar 29 2017

TOP STORY

New Tools to Study the Origin of Embryonic Stem Cells

Researchers have identified cell surface markers specific for the very earliest stem cells in the human embryo. These cells are thought to possess great potential for replacing damaged tissue but until now have been difficult to distinguish from classical embryonic stem cells. [Press release from Karolinska Institutet discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell] Press Release | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Single-Cell 5-Formylcytosine Landscapes of Mammalian Early Embryos and ESCs at Single-Base Resolution

Researchers present “CLEVER-seq” (chemical-labeling-enabled C-to-T conversion sequencing), which is a single-cell, single-base resolution 5-formylcytosine (5fC)-sequencing technology, based on biocompatible, selective chemical labeling of 5fC and subsequent C-to-T conversion during amplification and sequencing. CLEVER-seq showed intrinsic 5fC heterogeneity in mouse early embryos, Epi stem cells, and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Directed Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Functional Cholangiocyte-Like Cells

The authors developed a platform for the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into functional cholangiocyte-like cells. Compared with alternative protocols for biliary differentiation of hPSCs, their system did not require coculture with other cell types and relied on chemically defined conditions up to and including the generation of cholangiocyte progenitors. [Nat Protoc] Full Article

Global Reorganization of Cis-Regulatory Units upon Lineage Commitment of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Scientists used Promoter Capture Hi-C to generate a high-resolution atlas of chromosomal interactions involving ~22,000 gene promoters in human pluripotent and lineage-committed cells, identifying putative target genes for known and predicted enhancer elements. They revealed extensive dynamics of cis-regulatory contacts upon lineage commitment, including the acquisition and loss of promoter interactions. [Elife] Abstract | Full Article (Download)

SMARCAD1 Contributes to the Regulation of Naive Pluripotency by Interacting with Histone Citrullination

Researchers report that SMARCAD1 preferentially associates with H3 arginine 26 citrullination (H3R26Cit) peptides present on arrays composed of 384 histone peptides harboring distinct post-transcriptional modifications. Among ten histone modifications assayed by ChIP-seq, H3R26Cit exhibited the most extensive genomewide co-localization with SMARCAD1 binding. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Synthetic Glycopolymers for Highly Efficient Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Neurons: Lipo- or Not?

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG)-mimicking glycopolymers with or without phospholipid groups were synthesized and their ability to promote neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) was investigated. It was found that the lipid-anchored GAG-mimicking glycopolymers retained on the membrane of mESCs rather than being internalized by cells after one hour of incubation. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

A Genome-Wide Analysis of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells in 2D or 3D Culture

A defined protocol for efficiently deriving endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells was established and vascular morphogenesis was used as a model system to understand how synthetic hydrogels influence global biological function compared with common 2D and 3D culture platforms. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Inducible and Deterministic Forward Programming of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Neurons, Skeletal Myocytes, and Oligodendrocytes

The authors systematically optimized inducible gene expression in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) using a dual genomic safe harbor gene-targeting strategy. They report robust and deterministic reprogramming of hPSCs into neurons and functional skeletal myocytes and present a forward programming strategy for rapid and highly efficient generation of human oligodendrocytes. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract | Video

Partial Reprogramming of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes into Neurons

Researchers demonstrated that partial direct reprogramming of mesoderm-derived cardiomyocytes into neurons is feasible, generating cells exhibiting structural and electrophysiological properties of both cardiomyocytes and neurons. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cytokine-Free Directed Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Efficiently Produces Hemogenic Endothelium with Lymphoid Potential

Investigators established that the application of Wnt agonist CHIR99021 efficiently promotes differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in the absence of any hematopoietic cytokines to the stage of hemogenic endothelium capable of definitive hematopoiesis. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article | Press Release

Stem Cell Transplantation Therapy for Multifaceted Therapeutic Benefits after Stroke

The authors discuss the characteristics of cell therapy in different ischemic models and the application of stem cells and progenitor cells as regenerative medicine for the treatment of stroke. [Prog Neurobiol] Abstract

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Sangamo Therapeutics Announces Presentation of New Data Demonstrating Significant Reduction of Tau Expression Using Proprietary ZFP Gene Regulation Technology

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. announced the presentation of new human in vitro and animal model data demonstrating significant reduction of tau mRNA and tau protein expression using the company’s zinc finger protein (ZFP) transcription factor-mediated gene regulation technology. These results are the first evidence of a tau lowering agent demonstrating efficacy on neuritic dystrophy in an amyloid mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. [Press release from Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 13^th International Conference on Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases, Vienna] Press Release

STEMCELL Technologies to Launch CloneR™ to Facilitate Genome Editing of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

STEMCELL Technologies announced the development of CloneR™, a novel medium formulation to aid researchers in their ability to successfully genome edit human pluripotent stem cells. Unlike current methods, CloneR™ will enable the robust generation of clonal cell lines without single-cell adaptation, thus minimizing the risk of acquiring genetic abnormalities. [STEMCELL Technologies Inc.] Press Release

Cellaria Adds Next-Generation RNA Reprogramming and Stem Cell Services

Cellaria, LLC. announced the expansion of its offerings to include a suite of stem cell services. The company’s initial reprogramming focus will be on custom solutions for primary cell establishment, induced pluripotent stem cell generation, banking and characterization. Cellaria will also offer customizable differentiation services for various cell types such as neurons, hepatocytes and skeletal muscle. [Cellaria, LLC.] Press Release

Schizophrenia-Associated Gene Research Funded by $3.1 Million NIH Grant

A research team at Emory University is embarking on a multipronged study of 3q29 deletion syndrome, a genetic mutation associated with a 40-fold increased risk for schizophrenia and a range of other neuropsychiatric conditions including mild to moderate intellectual disability, autism and anxiety. The research is funded by a $3.1 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health. [Emory University] Press Release

European Commission Considering Leap into Open-Access Publishing

One of Europe’s biggest science spenders could soon branch out into publishing. The European Commission, which spends more than €10 billion annually on research, may follow two other big league funders, the Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and set up a “publishing platform” for the scientists it funds, in an attempt to accelerate the transition to open-access publishing in Europe. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Europe Says University of California Deserves Broad Patent for CRISPR

The European Patent Office announced its “intention to grant a patent” to the University of California (UC) for its broad-based claims about the genome-editing tool popularly known as CRISPR. UC, on behalf of several parties, has been in a pitched battle with the Broad Institute of Cambridge, Massachusetts, over CRISPR patents, and the new decision marks a sharp departure from the position of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Playing No Trump at AAAS Policy Forum

The relationship between U.S. scientists and the Trump administration hit a new low after organizers of a major annual science policy conference were unable to find anyone willing to discuss the president’s priorities. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Growth Hormone/Prolactin Family in Biology and Disease
July 23-28, 2017
Steamboat Springs, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Somatic Variation (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)

NEW Independent Group Leaders – Regenerative Medicine (Center for Regenerative Medicine)

Research Associate – Research and Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Group Leader – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Brain Malignancies (German Cancer Research Center)

Stem Cell Research Manager – Target Drug Discovery (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Developmental Neuroscience (University of Nebraska Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Epigenetics and Development (Imperial College London)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bone Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology (New York University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Multiple Areas (University of Oklahoma)

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

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

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