ESC & iPSC News 13.39 October 3, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYMulti-Axial Self-Organization Properties of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Gastruloids The authors showed that small aggregates of mouse ESCs, when stimulated to undergo gastrulation-like events and elongation in vitro, could organize a post-occipital pattern of neural, mesodermal and endodermal derivatives that mimic embryonic spatial and temporal gene expression. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Researchers report an enhanced third-generation base-editing system with extra nuclear localization sequences that can efficiently introduce a homozygous base mutation in ESCs. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract Fast Generation of Functional Subtype Astrocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells By using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated inducible expression of NFIA or NFIA plus SOX9 in human PSCs, scientists developed a method to efficiently generate astrocytes in 47 weeks. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract The association between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and hepatocyte metabolism disorders prompted the authors to characterize ER stress-induced hepatic metabolic dysfunction in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes, to explore regulatory pathways and validate a phenotypic in vitro model for progression of liver steatosis. [Dis Model Mech] Abstract Researchers showed that treatment of human ESCs with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin at the ESC stage inhibits cardiomyocyte differentiation, and the effect is largely mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). [Sci Total Environ] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Investigators evaluated the effects of microRNA-218 in cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse ESCs in vitro. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract The authors evaluated the effect of cigarette smoke condensate on ESCs derived from mice with different genetic backgrounds and maternal ages. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract Investigators examined the molecular mechanism for mesenchymal-epithelial transition, focusing on RNA metabolism. DDX6, an RNA helicase, was indispensable for iPSC formation, in addition to RO60 and RNY1, a non-coding RNA, which form complexes involved in intracellular nucleotide sensing. [PLoS One] Full Article Optimal Human iPS Cell Culture Method for Efficient Hepatic Differentiation The gene expression levels of definitive endoderm markers in the definitive endoderm cells generated from human iPS cells cultured with ReproStem or TeSR-E8 medium were higher than those in other groups. [Differentiation] Abstract Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Cell Therapy News & Mesenchymal Cell News. | |
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REVIEWSMitophagy-Driven Metabolic Switch Reprograms Stem Cell Fate The authors describe the detailed mechanism of the process of mitophagy and its association with cellular programming through alteration in the mitochondrial energetics. The metabolic shift post mitophagy is suggested to be a key factor in the cell fate transition during differentiation and dedifferentiation. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Modeling of Pancreatic Beta-Cell Pathology Scientists present the incremental progress made in the modeling of diabetes using pluripotent stem cells. They discuss the current challenges and opportunities of these approaches to dissect beta-cell pathology and devise new pharmacological and cell replacement therapies. [Stem Cells] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSOrig3n Announces Collaboration with Researchers at Harvard University Orig3n announced a research collaboration agreement with Harvard University, led by a faculty member from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, to develop cell therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. [Orig3n (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release InVivo Therapeutics Announces Joint Research Collaboration with Q Therapeutics, Inc. InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. announced that it has entered into a joint research agreement with Q Therapeutics, Inc. [InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp.] Press Release Novo Nordisk to Establish California Manufacturing Site for Stem Cell-Based Therapies Novo Nordisk announced the establishment of a manufacturing site in Fremont, California, US to develop and produce stem cell-based therapies. The announcement follows the signing of a long-term lease on a good manufacturing practice facility, previously operated by Asterias Biotherapeutics. [Novo Nordisk A/S] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSJapan Set to Allow Gene Editing in Human Embryos Japan has issued draft guidelines that allow the use of gene-editing tools in human embryos. Although the country regulates the use of human embryos for research, there have been no specific guidelines on using tools such as CRISPR–Cas9 to make precise modifications in their DNA until now. [Nature News] Editorial At NEJM, a Change at the Top Offers a Chance to Reshape the World’s Oldest Medical Journal The retirement of Dr. Jeffrey Drazen as editor of the New England Journal of Medicine has created an opportunity to bring a new perspective to what is arguably the world’s most prestigious medical journal. [STAT News] Editorial U.K. Scientists ‘Are Going to Be All Right,’ after Brexit, Science Minister Promises In January, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Sam Gyimah as science and universities minister as a part of a broader cabinet reshuffle. During his visit, Gyimah spoke with Science about the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, a topic that is causing a great deal of anxiety among U.K. scientists. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Finland joins Europe’s Bold Open-Access Push Finland’s national research funder has signed up to Plan S — a push by a group of European organizations to make a radical change to the way that research results are published. [Nature News] Editorial Biologists Irate at NSF’s New One-Proposal Cap The National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, has made several tweaks to its grant proposal policies in recent years to keep staff and reviewers from being overwhelmed by the rising number of submissions. But some biologists say the latest change goes too far. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Hundreds of Academics at Top UK Universities Accused of Bullying Hundreds of academics have been accused of bullying students and colleagues in the past five years, prompting concerns that a culture of harassment and intimidation is thriving in Britain’s leading universities. [The Guardian] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW FEBS: From Molecules to Living Systems Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Precision Medicine (Columbia University) NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Genome Biology (European Molecular Biology Laboratory) Scientist – Cell Culture Media and Cell Line Development (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Senior Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells, Development & Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine) Director – Center for Cell Reprogramming (Georgetown University) Assistant Professor – Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology (Columbia University Stem Cell Initiative) Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University) 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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