ESC & iPSC News Volume 12.39 | Oct 4 2017

TOP STORY

Long-Term Expansion of Alveolar Stem Cells Derived from Human iPS Cells in Organoids

Researchers report a method for the efficient generation and long-term expansion of alveolar organoids harboring SFTPC⁺ alveolar stem cells derived from human iPSCs. Human iPSC-derived SFTPC⁺ cells self-renewed, with transcriptomes and morphology consistent with those of alveolar epithelial type II cells, and were able to differentiate into alveolar epithelial type I-like cells. [Nat Methods] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Functional Lung Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Scientists report the generation of alveolar epithelial type 2 cells, the facultative progenitors of lung alveoli, from human PSCs. Using multicolored fluorescent reporter lines, they tracked and purified human SFTPC⁺ alveolar progenitors as they emerged from endodermal precursors in response to stimulation of Wnt and FGF signaling. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

MYC Controls Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Fate Decisions through Regulation of Metabolic Flux

Investigators showed that, although metabolic switching occurs during early mesoderm and endoderm differentiation, high glycolytic flux was maintained and, in fact, essential during early ectoderm specification. The elevated glycolysis observed in human PSCs required elevated MYC/MYCN activity. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Erythropoietin-Producing Cells Ameliorate Renal Anemia in Mice

The authors established a method to generate erythropoietin (EPO)-producing cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells by modifying previously reported hepatic differentiation protocols. These cells showed increased EPO expression and secretion in response to low oxygen conditions, prolyl hydroxylase domain–containing enzyme inhibitors, and insulin-like growth factor 1. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Cell Volume Change through Water Efflux Impacts Cell Stiffness and Stem Cell Fate

Researchers identified a robust and unified relationship between cell stiffness and cell volume. They found that both cortical and cytoplasmic cell stiffness scaled with volume for numerous perturbations, including varying substrate stiffness, cell spread area, and external osmotic pressure. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Alternative SET/TAFI Promoters Regulate Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation

Scientists identified SET, which displayed a rapid isoform shift during early differentiation from the predominant isoform in ESCs, SETα, to the primary isoform in differentiated cells, SETβ, through alternative promoters. SETα is selectively bound and regulated by pluripotency factors. [Stem Cell Reports] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

An RNAi Screen Reveals an Essential Role for HIPK4 in Human Skin Epithelial Differentiation from iPSCs

Using an approach including RNAi and high-throughput imaging of early epithelial cells, investigators identified candidate kinases involved in their differentiation from hiPSCs. Among these, they found HIPK4 to be an important inhibitor of this process. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Targeted Genome Editing Restores T Cell Differentiation in a Humanized X-SCID Pluripotent Stem Cell Disease Model

The authors developed a stage-specific T cell differentiation protocol to validate genetic correction of the common G691A mutation with transcription activator-like effector nucleases. While all ESC clones could be differentiated to hematopoietic precursor cells, stage-specific analysis of T cell maturation confirmed early arrest of T cell differentiation at the T cell progenitor stage in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Transcriptomic and Epigenomic Differences in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Generated from Six Reprogramming Methods

By using high-throughput sequencing under standardized cell culturing conditions and passage number, researchers compared the epigenetic signatures and transcriptome differences of hiPSCs generated from the same primary fibroblast population by using six different reprogramming methods. [Nat Biomed Eng] Abstract

A Versatile Genetic Tool: Haploid Cells

Recently, haploid embryonic stem cells, which are capable of self-renewal and potentially differentiating into other cell types despite having only one set of chromosomes, have been established in several species. These unique haploid cells allow researchers to seek recessive gene functions in mammals, and have had a profound influence on the field of genetic screening and drug target identification. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

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

BlueRock Therapeutics and Universal Cells Enter Collaboration and License Agreement to Generate Gene-Edited iPS Cell Lines

BlueRock Therapeutics and Universal Cells Inc. announced that they have entered into a collaboration and license agreement to create induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines useful for the manufacture of allogeneic cellular therapies. [BlueRock Therapeutics] Press Release

Asterias Announces Two Significant Developments for Spinal Cord Injury Program

Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced new twelve-month data from the first efficacy cohort in the company’s ongoing Phase I/IIa SCiStar study designated to evaluate safety and efficacy of AST-OPC1. [Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Judge Recommends Ruling to Block Internet Access to Sci-Hub

The American Chemical Society (ACS) brought a case against Sci-Hub, a pirate site providing access to scientific articles, for copyright and trademark infringement. Following a hearing at a court in Virginia, Magistrate Judge John Anderson filed a report that recommended ruling in favor of ACS on all counts. [The Scientist] Editorial

Researchers Caught in Growing Rift over Catalan Independence

Scientists in Catalonia are feeling the ripples of a severe crisis as the region’s bid for independence from Spain comes to a head. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

French Government Proposes Big Science-Spending Boost

French research funding is set for a heartening increase in the country’s first budget under President Emmanuel Macron, if draft 2018 plans are voted into law. [Nature News] Editorial

After Upheaval, Russian Academy of Sciences Gets New Leader

After months of uncertainty, the Russian Academy of Sciences here finally has a new leader. Russian President Vladimir Putin approved physicist Alexander Sergeyev as the academy’s president for the next 5 years. Sergeyev has vowed to secure more money for Russian science and create a fund, through a new tax on fossil fuel company profits, for upgrading the country’s antiquated research infrastructure. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The 2018 World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS)
January 22-26, 2018
Miami, Florida, United States

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

NEW Doctoral Grant – Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Brain Organoids (University of Antwerp)

NEW Faculty Positions – Stem Cells or Organoid Models (Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells, Development and Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Wound Healing (University of Connecticut Health Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Cell Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes (University of Copenhagen)

Research Associate – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Generation of Neuronal Model Systems (University College London)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cell Biology of Tubulogenesis (University of Copenhagen)

Technical Director – Personalized Stem Cell Banking (Brilliant Research)

Faculty Position – Stem Cell Research (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

Assistant Professorship – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine)

Director – Stem Cell Research Facility (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Islet Biology (Sanofi)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Tsinghua University)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Tissue Engineering (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Multiple Areas (University of Oklahoma)

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