ESC & iPSC News Volume 12.25 | Jun 28 2017

TOP STORY

Lab Grown Human Colons Change Study of GI Disease

Scientists used human PSCs to generate human embryonic colons in a laboratory that function much like natural human tissues when transplanted into mice. The study is believed to be the first time human colon organoids have been successfully tissue engineered in this manner. [Press release from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Video

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Direct Reprogramming of Fibroblasts via a Chemically Induced XEN-Like State

It has been found that during chemical induction of iPSCs from mouse fibroblasts, cells pass through an extra-embryonic endoderm (XEN)-like state. Researchers showed that these chemically induced XEN-like cells can also be induced to directly reprogram into functional neurons, bypassing the pluripotent state. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

ESRRB Plays a Crucial Role in the Promotion of Porcine Cell Reprogramming

Investigators revealed the expression profiles of estrogen-related receptor B (ESRRB) in both porcine PSCs and early stage embryos and dissected the functional domains of the ESRRB protein to prove that ESRRB is a key transcription factor that enhance porcine pluripotent gene activation. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Development of a Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model for the Investigation of SCN5A-D1275N-Related Cardiac Sodium Channelopathy

Scientists generated human iPSCs from a 24-year-old female who carried heterozygous SCN5A-D1275N and analyzed the differentiated cardiomyocytes (CMs). Although SCN5A transcript levels were equivalent between D1275N and control hiPSC-CMs, both the total amount of Na_V1.5 and the membrane fractions were reduced approximately half in the D1275N cells, which were rescued by the proteasome inhibitor MG132 treatment. [Circ J] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Dopaminergic Neurons from Adult Common Marmoset Fibroblasts

Investigators report the development of a novel Callithrix jacchus (Cj)-iPSC line derived from adult marmoset fibroblasts. The Cj-iPSCs showed potent pluripotency properties including development of mesodermal lineages in tumors after injection to immunocompromised mice, as well as ectoderm and endoderm lineages after in vitro differentiation regimens, demonstrating differentiated derivatives of all three embryonic layers. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Neural Differentiation of Human iPSC Is Modulated by Idebenone in a Developmental Stage-Dependent Manner

Idebenone, the synthetic analog of coenzyme Q10 can improve electron transport in mitochondria. Therefore, it is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments. However, the mechanism of its action on neurodevelopment is still to be elucidated. Researchers demonstrated that the cellular response of human iPSCs to idebenone depends on the stage of neural differentiation. [Biogerontology] Full Article

Aqueous Cigarette Tar Extracts Disrupt Corticogenesis from Human Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro

Aqueous cigarette tar extracts (ACTEs) were generated from smoked cigarette butts and then applied at different concentrations to neuronal progenitors and cortical neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. ACTEs reduced the expression of the cortical neuronal progenitor markers pax6, tbr2, and neuroD and decreased the number of cortical layer neurons after exposure to as low as 1.87% of the extract from one smoked cigarette butt. [Environ Res] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Limbal Epithelial Cells (LiPSCs) as a Cellular Alternative for In Vitro Ocular Toxicity Testing

Using an improved protocol, investigators derived limbal epithelial cells from human iPSCs, named LiPSCs, that are able to be passaged and differentiate further into corneal epithelial cells. Comparative RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry analysis and zymography assays demonstrated that LiPSCs are morphologically and molecularly similar to the adult stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Single-Cell Transcriptome of Early Embryos and Cultured Embryonic Stem Cells of Cynomolgus Monkeys

Scientists present a comprehensive single-cell transcriptome dataset of pre- and early post-implantation embryo cells, primordial germ cells and ESCs of cynomolgus monkeys as a model of higher primates. The identities of each transcriptome were validated rigorously by other way such as immunofluorescent analysis. [Sci Data] Full Article

Concise Reviews: Criteria for Chamber-Specific Categorization of Human Cardiac Myocytes Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors discuss the need for chamber-specific PSC-cardiomyocytes in a number of areas as well as current approaches used to assess these cells on their likeness to those from different chambers of the heart. [Stem Cells] Full Article

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

Evotec Expands iPSC Drug Discovery Leadership through Strategic Collaboration with Censo Biotechnologies

Evotec AG announced a collaboration with Censo Biotechnologies Ltd. to source and provide patient-derived iPSCs to support Evotec’s broad iPSC platform. Censo will provide its sourcing and reprogramming technologies and expertise to create a high-quality, bespoke repository of hundreds of patient-derived iPSC lines, covering multiple diseases with an initial focus on CNS diseases. [Evotec AG] Press Release

First ‘Haploid’ Human Stem Cells Could Change the Face of Medical Research; Earn Kaye Innovation Award

Ido Sagi, working as a PhD student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Azrieli Center for Stem Cells and Genetic Research, led research that yielded the first successful isolation and maintenance of haploid embryonic stem cells in humans. In recognition of his work, he was awarded the Kaye Innovation Award for 2017. [Hebrew University of Jerusalem] Press Release

Putin Tightens Control over Russian Academy of Sciences

The Russian government has taken further steps to tighten its grip on the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) in Moscow. The State Duma—one of the two chambers of the Russian parliament—passed the first draft of a new law that would give president Vladimir Putin the final say in the elections for RAS’s presidency. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scientists in Limbo as US Supreme Court Allows Modified Travel Ban

The US Supreme Court has reinstated a limited version of President Donald Trump’s temporary order banning travelers from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. The court will hear a legal challenge to the ban in October. The court’s decision casts doubt on the fate of students and scientists from these countries who hope to study or work in the United States. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: iPSCs: A Decade of Progress and Beyond
March 25-29, 2018
Olympic Valley, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Human Stem Cells (University of Pittsburgh)

NEW PhD Student – Human Embryonic and Placental Development (Academic Medical Center)

Laboratory Research Technician – Epigenetics of Stem Cells (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetics of Pluripotent Stem Cells (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Bioinformatics of Single Cell Genomics (Institute of Molecular Biology)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bioinformatics (Stanford University)

Senior/Principle Research Associate – Cell and Molecular Biology (Editas Medicine)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Multiple Areas (University of Oklahoma)

Assistant or Associate Member – Stem Cell/Gene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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