ESC & iPSC News Volume 12.43 | Nov 1 2017

TOP STORY

Derivation of Hypermethylated Pluripotent Embryonic Stem Cells with High Potency

Researchers reveal advanced pluripotent stem cells, which are developmentally beyond the pluripotent cells in the inner cell mass but with higher potency than epiblast stem cells. [Cell Res] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

The Circular RNA circBIRC6 Participates in the Molecular Circuitry Controlling Human Pluripotency

Scientists identified a subset of circRNAs that are enriched in undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells and demonstrated that two, circBIRC6 and circCORO1C, are functionally associated with the pluripotent state. [Nat Commun] Full Article

GATA2/3-TFAP2A/C Transcription Factor Network Couples Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation to Trophectoderm with Repression of Pluripotency

To elucidate the molecular basis of BMP4-induced differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells toward progeny with trophectoderm characteristics, investigators produced transcriptome, epigenome H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and CpG methylation maps of trophoblast progenitors, purified using the surface marker aminopeptidase A. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Mutational Signatures of Non-Homologous and Polymerase Theta-Mediated End-Joining in Embryonic Stem Cells

Researchers found that classical non‐homologous end‐joining and polymerase theta‐mediated end‐joining act both parallel and redundant in mouse embryonic stem cells and account for virtually all end‐joining activity. [EMBO J] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Naked Mole Rat Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Contribution to Interspecific Chimera

The authors report the generation of iPSCs from naked mole rats (NMR) fibroblasts and their contribution to mouse-NMR chimeric embryos. The iPSCs displayed a characteristic morphology, expressed pluripotent markers, formed embryoid bodies, and showed typical differentiation patterns. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Escape from Pluripotency via Inhibition of TGF-β/BMP and Activation of Wnt Signaling Accelerates Differentiation and Aging in hPSC Progeny Cells

Scientists report a simple treatment with three small molecules—SB431542, dorsomorphine, and CHIR99021—that enhanced human PSC differentiation into three germ layers with a chemically transitional embryoid-body-like state. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

The Spontaneous Differentiation and Chromosome Loss in iPSCs of Human Trisomy 18 Syndrome

Investigators successfully generated iPSCs from human amniotic fluid cells with trisomy 18 pregnancies. They found that trisomy 18 iPSCs were prone to differentiate spontaneously. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Depletion of Mageb16 Induces Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells Predominantly into Mesodermal Derivatives

Researchers demonstrated that Mageb16 is distributed in cytosol and/or in surface membrane in undifferentiated ESCs. The expression levels of contractile genes were higher in differentiated Mageb16 knockdown ESCs when compared to differentiated scrambled control and wild ESCs, suggesting a higher cardiomyogenic potential of Mageb16 depleted ESCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Gorlin Syndrome-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells are Hypersensitive to Hedgehog-Mediated Osteogenic Induction

Patient-derived iPSCs expressed lower basal levels than the control iPSCs of the genes encoding Hedgehog, Wnt, and bone morphogenetic proteins, but their expression of these genes strongly increased under osteogenic conditions. [PLoS One] Full Article

3D Bioprinting Using Stem Cells

The authors discuss the current advances, applications, limitations and future of 3D bioprinting using stem cells, by organ systems. [Pediatr Res] Abstract

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

Tissue Genesis LLC, and Human Life CORD Japan, Inc., Announce Exclusive Agreement to Advance Adult Stem Cell Therapies in Asia

Human Life CORD Japan, Inc. announced a strategic agreement with Tissue Genesis LLC to distribute its propriety stem cell processing products in commercial clinics, research institutions, and hospitals in Japan and China. [Tissue Genesis] Press Release

International Stem Cell Corporation Receives Key Stem Cell Patent in Australia

International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) announced ISCO’s patent covering methods for generating HLA homozygous parthenogenetic human stem cell lines from unfertilized eggs has been issued in Australia. [International Stem Cell Corporation] Press Release

Six Papers by Disgraced Surgeon Should Be Retracted, Report Concludes

Sweden’s national scientific ethics board, the Expert Group on Misconduct in Research, has concluded that six papers authored by disgraced surgeon Paolo Macchiarini should be retracted. The papers describe the purported clinical success of artificial trachea “seeded” with a patient’s own stem cells. All three patients described in the papers died of complications related to the implant. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Spanish Government Takes Control of Catalonian Universities

The Spanish government has taken over responsibility for higher education and research in Catalonia, following the region’s unilateral declaration of independence. It will retain control of spending on research centres and universities, which the League of European Research Universities says threatens institutional autonomy. [Nature News] Editorial

Plans to Promote German Research Excellence Come under Fire

Observers questioned whether the 88 selected projects for the The Excellence Initiative represent Germany’s best science, particularly because the focus for selection has shifted away from basic science and towards applied research. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 13^th Annual Wisconsin Stem Cell Symposium
April 18, 2018
Fitchburg/Madison, Wisconsin, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – iPSC Research (Kyoto University)

Quality Control Analyst – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Strategic Marketing Manager – Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology (Cellular Dynamics International)

Head of Facility – Gene Editing and Embryology (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

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

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

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

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)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Multiple Areas (University of Oklahoma)

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