ESC & iPSC News 13.46 November 21, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYScientists compared two directed differentiation protocols by single-cell transcriptomics of 83,130 cells from 65 organoids with single-cell transcriptomes of fetal and adult kidney cells. Both protocols generated a diverse range of kidney cells with differing ratios, but organoid-derived cell types were immature, and 10%-20% of cells were non-renal. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Using pancreatic β-like cells derived from human PSCs (hPSCs), researchers discovered that a commonly used pesticide, propargite, induced pancreatic β-cell death, a pathological hallmark of diabetes. [Nat Commun] Full Article The authors applied complementary single-cell RNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq technologies over time during human iPSC cardiac differentiation and in the adult heart. They systematically tested the effect of a gain or loss of three transcription factors, using CRISPR genome editing and ChIP-seq, in conjunction with patch clamp, calcium imaging, and CyTOF analysis. [Nat Commun] Full Article Specifying the Anterior Primitive Streak by Modulating YAP1 Levels in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Investigators showed that anterior primitive streak (APS) genes were predominantly induced in YAP1−/− human ESCs (hESCs) in response to ACTIVIN. Moreover, transient exposure of wild-type hESCs to dasatinib, a potent C-SRC/YAP1 inhibitor, enabled differentiation to APS-derived endoderm and cardiac mesoderm in response to ACTIVIN. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article Novel Crosstalk between Vps26a and Nox4 Signaling during Neurogenesis Under neural differentiation conditions, Vps26a deficiency or knockdown suppressed the loss of stemness and subsequent neurogenesis from ESCs or embryonic carcinoma cells, respectively, as evidenced by the long-lasting expression of stemness markers and the slow appearance of neuronal differentiation markers. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article Researchers modified a 3D protocol by using U-46619 to upregulate both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling, which increased the differentiation efficiency to as high as 89% in two established human iPSC lines. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article Generation of Transgene-Free Porcine Intermediate Type Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Scientists performed a non-integrative vector based reprogramming approach using porcine fetal fibroblasts. The resulting four porcine iPSC lines were positive for pluripotency marker and when subjected to in vitro and in vivo differentiation assays, all four lines formed embryoid bodies, capable to differentiate into all three germ layers, and three out of the four cell lines formed teratomas. [Cell Cycle] Abstract Study on Immortal Conditions of Chicken Embryonic Stem Cells Culture medium containing 10-μmol/L of vitamin C (VC) could significantly promote the proliferation of ESCs. ESCs transfected with p:enhanced green fluorescent protein-hTERT could be subcultured more than ten generations in culture medium containing exogenous factors and VC, and these ESC clones could still be regenerated following cryopreservation. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract The authors showed the advantages of using size-controlled embryoid bodies in the ESC differentiation process using two differentiation protocols. The differentiation protocols utilized two different combinations of growth factors. The first, Dkk1, Noggin, and IGF1, and the second protocol used IWRIWR1e, SAG, and CHIR99021. [Exp Eye Res] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Klf5 Suppresses ERK Signaling in Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells Researchers showed that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling was overactivated in Klf5-KO ESCs and the overactivated ERK in Klf5-KO ESCs was suppressed by the introduction of Klf5, but not Klf2 or Klf4, indicating a unique role for Klf5 in ERK suppression. [PLoS One] Full Article Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Cell Therapy News & Mesenchymal Cell News. | |
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REVIEWSKDM5B Is a Master Regulator of the H3K4-Methylome in Stem Cells, Development and Cancer Investigators examine how KDM5B regulates gene expression and cellular fates of stem cells and cancer cells by temporally and spatially controlling histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation levels. [Semin Cancer Biol] Abstract The authors outline the evidence for the involvement of oligodendrocyte precursor cells/oligodendrocytes in schizophrenia in the context of their proposed functions, including myelination and axon support, the implications for human iPSC-based cellular disease modeling and potential strategies for patient selection. [npj Schizophrenia] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSEMBO Welcomes Twenty-Six New Young Investigators EMBO has selected 26 life science researchers within their first four years as group leaders to become EMBO Young Investigators. They join an active network of 102 current and 314 past Young Investigators and will receive support from EMBO during the foundation of their first independent laboratory. [EMBO] Press Release Researcher Reveals New Ways to Catch Killer Cells A pioneering young scientist from Newcastle has received national recognition for using stem cell research to investigate ways of improving the survival rates for leukemia. Dr Heather Lee received one of two prestigious $50,000 Metcalf Prizes from the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia in recognition of her leadership in stem cell research. [The University of Newcastle] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSResearch Groups Attend HHS ‘Listening Session’ on Fetal Tissue Research Amid Funding Fears Science advocates who attended a “listening session” on the use of fetal tissue in medical research held by senior officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C., say they are optimistic that they were listened to and heard. But many researchers remain concerned about reports that President Donald Trump’s administration is considering withdrawing funding for such studies, which are fiercely opposed by antiabortion advocates. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Stop Exploitation of Foreign Postdocs in the United States A survey reveals some lab heads are using the need for visas to create unacceptable conditions for junior researchers. Some PIs are exploiting the fact that overseas scientists rely on them for continued visas. The responses suggest that senior scientists are using this reliance to force postdocs to work longer hours and endure unacceptable conditions. [Nature] Editorial To Catch Misconduct, Journals Are Hiring Research Integrity Czars Scientific journals’ creation of dedicated positions for rooting out misconduct before publication comes amid growing awareness of such issues, and stems from a recognition that spot-checking and other ad hoc arrangements were insufficient. [STAT News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW DASCS2019 Stem Cell Conference Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESScientist – Cell Culture Media and Cell Line Development (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Assistant/Associate Adjunct Professor – Cardiovascular Medicine (UC Davis) Postdoctoral Position – iPSC Models of Neurodegenerative Disease (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine) Research Associate – Clinical Grade Production of Blood Cells from PSCs (University of Cambridge) Postdoctoral Fellow – Patient Derived Organoids (Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey) Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Diabetes (A*STAR) Postdoctoral Fellows – iPSCs & Blood Development (University of Washington) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Precision Medicine (Columbia University) 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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