ESC & iPSC News 12.44 November 8, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYHuman NOTCH4 Is a Key target of RUNX1 in Megakaryocytic Differentiation Investigators utilized isogenic pairs of familial platelet disorder (FPD)-iPSCs and the megakaryocytes differentiation system to identify RUNX1 target genes. Using integrative genomic analysis of hematopoietic progenitor cells generated from FPD iPSCs, and mutation-corrected isogenic controls, they identified two gene sets whose transcription was either up- or downregulated by RUNX1 in mutation-corrected iPSCs. [Blood] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)The Polycomb Group Protein CBX6 Is an Essential Regulator of Embryonic Stem Cell Identity Researchers showed that CBX6 is essential for ESC identity. Its depletion destabilized the pluripotency network and triggered differentiation. [Nat Commun] Full Article Using Rax-GFP-expressing ESCs, newly generated Six3−/− iPSCs, and conditional null Six3delta/f;Rax-Cre ESCs, scientists identified Six3 repression of R-spondin 2 as a required step during optic vesicle morphogenesis and neuroretina differentiation. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Differentiation of stem cells, either inducible pluripotent or embryonic derived, increased residual DNA damage as determined by γ-H2AX and 53BP1 foci, with increased S-phase-specific chromosomal aberration after exposure to DNA-damaging agents, suggesting reduced homologous recombination (HR) repair as supported by the observation of decreased HR-related repair factor foci formation. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Because ESCs are less dependent on oxidative phosphorylation than somatic cells, investigators examined the effects of catalytic inactivation of Nsun3 on self-renewal and differentiation potential of murine ESCs. They demonstrated that Nsun3-mutant cells show strongly reduced mt-tRNAMet methylation and formylation as well as reduced mitochondrial translation and respiration. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Full Article Researchers applied a protein array to screen chemokines found within the cytokine pool in the culture supernatant of human PSCs. They showed that chemokines were the predominant supernatant components, and came from three sources: human PSCs, feeder cells, and culture media. Chemotaxis analysis of IL-8, SDF-1α, and IP-10 suggested that chemokines function as uniform chemoattractants to mediate in vitro migration of human PSCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article Scientists revealed that pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and focal adhesion may undergo incomplete regulations during the reprogramming process. [Sci Rep] Full Article Investigators developed a high-efficiency episomal system, the 6F/BM1-4C system, lacking tumorigenic factors for human urine-derived cell reprogramming. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article The authors describe the isolation and characterization of a new mouse embryonic stem line derived from Wnt1-CRE-R26 RosaTomatoTdv blastocyst and show that it displays the characteristics of typical embryonic stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSBioprocessing Strategies for Pluripotent Stem Cells Based on Waddington’s Epigenetic Landscape The authors discuss novel stem cell bioprocessing strategies based on the concept of using Waddington’s epigenetic landscape to represent the process of cellular decision-making during development. Specifically, they focus on the manner in which cell behavior triggers cell signaling pathways related to the initial cell fate decision. [Trends Biotechnol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSEvotec AG announced a strategic collaboration on microfluidics technology including iPSC differentiation with leading academic institutions in the UK and Italy to accelerate the discovery of novel drugs to treat kidney diseases. The collaboration will combine key technologies from Evotec and the academic institutions to develop a novel drug discovery device (“Nephron-on-a-Chip”). [Evotec AG] Press Release $10 Million Gift Supports Personalized Medicine Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has received a $10 million commitment from longtime benefactors George and Debra Couch to support research that advances personalized medicine. [Washington University School of Medicine] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSWHO Calls for Restrictions on Use of Antibiotics in Food Animal Production The World Health Organization is urging countries to restrict the amount of antibiotics given in food animal production by prohibiting their routine use in growth promotion and disease prevention. The recommendation is one of a number the WHO issued aimed at preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics. [STAT News] Editorial UK Government Appoints Next Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance, president of research and development at the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, has been appointed as chief scientific adviser, the UK government announced. [Nature News] Editorial Indian Scientists Urged to Speak Out about Pseudoscience A leading Indian science-advocacy group is urging the country’s researchers to speak out against pseudoscience, which it fears has gained a foothold in the past few years, partly through support from some agencies of the Indian government. [Nature News] Editorial Court Demands that Search Engines and Internet Service Providers Block Sci-Hub The American Chemical Society (ACS) has won a lawsuit against Sci-Hub, a website providing illicit free access to millions of paywalled scientific papers. ACS had alleged copyright infringement, trademark counterfeiting and trademark infringement; a district court in Virginia ruled that Sci-Hub should pay the ACS $4.8 million in damages after Sci-Hub representatives failed to attend court. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW British Society for Developmental Biology (BSDB) Autumn Meeting 2018 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Research Scientist – Global Research for Stem Cells (Novo Nordisk) Quality Control Analyst – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Postdoctoral Fellow – iPSC Research (Kyoto University) Strategic Marketing Manager – Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology (Cellular Dynamics International) Head of Facility – Gene Editing and Embryology (European Molecular Biology Laboratory) 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 Fellow – Multiple Areas (University of Oklahoma) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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