ESC & iPSC News Volume 13.48 | Dec 5 2018

TOP STORY

Efficient Scarless Genome Editing in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors established a versatile and efficient method that combines CRISPR-Cas9-mediated homologous recombination with positive-negative selection of edited clones to generate scarless genetic changes in human PSCs. [Nat Methods] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Honey Bee Royalactin Unlocks Conserved Pluripotency Pathway in Mammals

Using mouse embryonic stem cells as a platform, scientists report that through its major protein component Royalactin, royal jelly can maintain pluripotency by activating a ground-state pluripotency-like gene network. They further identified Regina, a mammalian structural analog of Royalactin that also induced a naive-like state in mouse embryonic stem cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

A Non-Canonical BRD9-Containing BAF Chromatin Remodeling Complex Regulates Naive Pluripotency in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Investigators found that the bromodomain containing protein 9 (BRD9) and glioma tumor suppressor candidate region gene 1 (GLTSCR1) or its paralog GLTSCR1-like define a smaller, non-canonical BAF complex in mouse ESCs that is distinct from the canonical ESC BAF complex. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Developmental Xist Induction Is Mediated by Enhanced Splicing

Scientists found that X-inactive-specific transcript (Xist) RNA was unspliced in naïve ES cells. Upon differentiation, Xist splicing became efficient across all exons independent of transcription, suggesting interdependent or coordinated removal of Xist introns. [Nucleic Acids Res] Full Article

Transparent Bioreactor Based on Nanoparticle-Coated Liquid Marble for In Situ Observation of Suspending Embryonic Body Formation and Differentiation

Transparent liquid marbles coated with hydrophobic silica nanoparticles were used as micro bioreactors for ESC culturing. The high transparency of silica liquid marbles enabled the real-time and in situ monitoring of the embryonic body formation and differentiation. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Nicotinamide Promotes Cell Survival and Differentiation as Kinase Inhibitor in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

In a vitamin screen, researchers found that nicotinamide promotes cell survival and differentiation in human PSCs. Nicotinamide inhibited the phosphorylation of myosin light chain, suppressed actomyosin contraction, and lead to improved cell survival after individualization. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Transcription Factor Levels after Forward Programming of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells with GATA1, FLI1, and TAL1 Determine Megakaryocyte versus Erythroid Cell Fate Decision

Scientists demonstrated that the forward programming of human PSCs through overexpression of GATA1, FLI1, and TAL1 leads to the production of a population of progenitors that can differentiate into megakaryocyte or erythroblasts. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstact

EDG5 Plays an Important Role in Induction and Maintenance of Pluripotency

Downregulation of one of the key G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) effectors, EDG5 impacted the maintenance of pluripotency, actin cytoskeleton organisation, colony integrity and focal adhesions in human ESCs which were associated with the alteration in the RhoA‐Rock‐Cofilin‐Paxillin‐actin signaling pathway. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Interactome Determination of a Long Noncoding RNA Implicated in Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal

The authors identified a developmentally important cell-signaling hub and find STAT3 as a candidate through which Cyrano can function to reinforce self-renewal of embryonic stem (ES) cells. Based on commonalities between ES cells and cancer cells, they postulated such functional interactions may support cell proliferation, cell identity and adhesion characteristics in rapidly proliferating cell types. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Polysome Profiling followed by RNA-seq of Cardiac Differentiation Stages in hESCs

Investigators isolated and high-throughput sequenced ribosome-free and polysome-bound RNAs from NKX2-5eGFP/w HES3 undifferentiated PSCs at the subsequent differentiation stages of cardiomyogenesis: embryoid body aggregation, mesoderm, cardiac progenitor and cardiomyocyte. [Sci Data] Full Article

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Reversibility of Irreversible Aging

By their nature, iPSCs are the cells representing the early stages of life, indicating a possibility of reversing the age of cells within the organism. Reprogramming strategies may be accomplished both in vitro and in vivo, offering opportunities for rejuvenation in the context of whole organisms. Similarly, older organs may be replaced with the younger ones prepared ex vivo, or grown within other organisms or even other species. [Ageing Res Rev] Abstract

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

AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. to Present Keynote Address

AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. announced that its Founder and CEO Michael D. West, Ph.D. will provide an update on AgeX product development, and will for the first time present data on the potential use of its proprietary induced Tissue Regeneration technology in cancer diagnosis and therapy as well as in inducing the destruction of aged cells. [Press release from AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at at Advanced Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine 2018 Conference, Valencia] Press Release

Fate Therapeutics Announces FDA Clearance of Landmark IND for FT500 iPSC-Derived, Off-the-Shelf NK Cell Cancer Immunotherapy

Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the FDA has allowed its Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for FT500, the company’s universal, off-the-shelf natural killer cell product candidate derived from a clonal master iPSC line. [Fate Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Fate Therapeutics Secures Exclusive Option to Novel Humanized Anti-BCMA CAR Constructs for Development of iPSC-Derived Cell Products

Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has secured an exclusive option to an intellectual property portfolio owned by the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine covering novel humanized chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) constructs that uniquely and specifically bind B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA). [Fate Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Addressing the Sector Skills Gap with First Apprenticeship Program for Advanced Therapies

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult launched the first Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) focused apprenticeship program developed in partnership with The Medicine Manufacturing Industry Partnership and aimed at building the skills base needed to support the growing UK industry in the development of ATMPs. [The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult] Press Release

Government Loyalist Appointed New UK Science Minister as Brexit Woes Continue

Amid the carnage of Brexit, the UK government has gained a new science minister. Chris Skidmore was appointed on 5 December, succeeding Sam Gyimah, who resigned last week over the direction of Brexit negotiations. [Nature News] Editorial

Researchers Sign Petition Backing Plans to End Paywalls

More than 1,400 researchers have signed an online letter backing the principles of Plan S, the bold open-access initiative led by research agencies who say that, by 2020, papers resulting from their funding should be immediately free to read on publication. [Nature News] Editorial

Trump Emphasizes Workforce Training in New Vision for Stem Education

The U.S. government needs to partner with industry and community organizations to train more Americans for jobs in an increasingly high-tech work environment. That’s the key message in a new 5-year strategic plan for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education released by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW EMBO-EMBL: Synthetic Morphogenesis: From Gene Circuits to Tissue Architecture
March 17-20, 2019
Heidelberg, Germany

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Gene Editing hiPSCs (Leiden University Medical Center)

Scientist – Cell Culture Media and Cell Line Development (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Genomics and Tissue Engineering (Friedrich Miescher Laboratory)

Staff Scientist – Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

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 Position – Stem Cells and Diabetes (A*STAR)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University)

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