ESC & iPSC News Volume 12.26 | Jul 5 2017

TOP STORY

Genome-Wide Temporal Profiling of Transcriptome and Open-Chromatin of Early Cardiomyocyte Differentiation Derived from Human iPSCs and Human ESCs

Researchers profiled the temporal changes in transcriptome and chromatin accessibility at genome-wide levels during cardiomyocyte differentiation derived from two hiPSC lines and two hESC lines at four stages: pluripotent stem cells, mesoderm, cardiac mesoderm, and differentiated cardiomyocytes. [Circ Res] Abstract

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NODAL Secures Pluripotency upon Embryonic Stem Cell Progression from the Ground State

Scientists investigated progression from the ESC ground state in defined culture by utilizing downregulation of Rex1::GFPd2 to track the loss of ESC identity. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

PAX2 Is Dispensable for In Vitro Nephron Formation from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers previously reported the induction of nephron progenitors and three-dimensional nephron structures from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Here they generated iPS cells lacking PAX2, and address the role of PAX2 in their in vitro induction protocol. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Modulates the Synergistic Action of CREB1 and ID/E2A Family Members in the Rat Pup Brain and Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Scientists provide evidence for the capability of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)1 to sequester inhibitor of DNA binding (ID):E2A family members in brain tissues and neural differentiating mouse ESCs through formation of a [CREB1]₂:ID2:E47 tetrameric complex [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (hiPSC)-Derived Neurons Respond to Convulsant Drugs when Co-Cultured with hiPSC-Derived Astrocytes

The application of hiPSC-derived neurons for seizure risk assessment has not yet been fully addressed, and not at all when co-cultured with hiPSC-derived astrocytes. Investigators characterized hiPSC-derived neurons co-cultured with hiPSC-derived astrocytes to discuss how hiPSC-derived neurons are useful to assess seizure risk of drugs. [Toxicology] Abstract

Bioinspired Onion Epithelium-Like Structure Promotes the Maturation of Cardiomyocytes Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Organized cardiomyocyte alignment is critical to maintain the mechanical properties of the heart. Researchers present a new and simple strategy to fabricate a biomimetic microchip designed with an onion epithelium-like structure and investigate the guided behavior of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes on the substrate. [Biomater Sci] Abstract

Antofine, a Natural Phenanthroindolizidine Alkaloid, Suppresses Angiogenesis via Regulation of AKT/mTOR and AMPK Pathway in Endothelial Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells Derived from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

The inhibitory effect of antofine on angiogenesis was determined in cultured mouse embryonic stem/embryoid body-derived endothelial cells and vascular endothelial growth factor-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells. [Expert Opin Biol Ther] Full Article

Advanced Developmental Toxicity Test Method Based on Embryoid Body’s Area

Embryonic stem cell test (EST) evaluates the embryotoxic potential of substances and measures the half inhibition in viability of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), fibroblasts and in cardiac differentiation of ESCs. Scientists suggest the developmental toxicity test method, termed Embryoid Bodies Test, applying area of embryoid bodies instead of cardiac differentiation of EST. [Reprod Toxicol] Abstract

Efficient Neural Differentiation of Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells in a Serum-Free Medium and Development of a Novel Strategy for Enrichment of Neural Cells

Researchers achieved efficient differentiation of mouse PSCs to neural lineage, in the absence of exogenous molecules, by employing a serum-free culture medium containing knockout serum replacement. [Int J Dev Neurosci] Abstract

Reprogramming Human Cells to Naïve Pluripotency: How Close Are We?

The authors discuss the latest literature on the discovery of human naïve-like stem cells and examine how similar they are to both mouse naïve cells and the preimplantation human epiblast. [Curr Opin Genet Dev] Full Article

Modeling Schizophrenia Pathogenesis Using Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Investigators summarize the findings from recent studies using induced pluripotent stem cells to model the developmental pathogenesis of schizophrenia and discuss what they have learned from these studies. They also discuss what are the important next steps and key issues to be addressed to move the field forward. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

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

Embryonic Stem Cells to Be Available for Medical Use in Japan by next March

Embryonic stem cells for regenerative medicine will become available to medical institutions by March 2018. To make ES cells, Kyoto University will work with Adachi Hospital in the city of Kyoto, which offers infertility treatment, to use fertilized eggs that would otherwise be disposed of. [The Japan Times] Press Release

FDA Meeting Provides Clear Path for Cynata US Development Plans

Cynata Therapeutics Limited, has received written advice from the United States Food and Drug Administration regarding the regulatory approval path for Cynata’s proprietary Cymerus™ mesenchymal stem cell products in the US. [Globe Newswire] Press Release

House Lawmakers Balk at Most Trump Science Cuts in Early Bills

No. That’s the first official answer from lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives to President Donald Trump’s request to make deep budget cuts at several key science funding agencies. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Europe’s Next Big Science-Funding Program Urged to Double Its Budget

Midway through the European Union’s sprawling seven-year, €75-billion research-funding program known as Horizon 2020, scientists are already angling for more money and less red tape in its successor. [Nature News] Editorial

Germany and Poland Launch Research ‘Twinning’ Effort

Germany and Poland are to jointly fund top scientists to start research groups at Polish institutes, in a scheme that could provide a new blueprint for east–west research collaboration in the European Union. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: New Frontiers in Neuroinflammation: What Happens When CNS and Periphery Meet?
June 17-21, 2018
Keystone, Colorado, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Tissue Engineering (Stanford University)

NEW Senior/Principal Scientist – Stem Cell Research (Plasticell Ltd)

Postdoctoral Positions – Human Stem Cells (University of Pittsburgh)

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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