ESC & iPSC News Volume 14.48 | Dec 11 2019

TOP STORY

A Primate-Specific Retroviral Enhancer Wires the XACT lncRNA into the Core Pluripotency Network in Humans

Researchers explored how different families of transposable elements have contributed to shaping the XACT locus and coupling its expression to pluripotency. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CRISPR-Cas3 Induces Broad and Unidirectional Genome Editing in Human Cells

Investigators showed Cas3-mediated exon-skipping of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene in patient-induced PSCs. [Nat Commun] Full Article

CRISPR/Cas9-Based Targeted Genome Editing for Correction of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Using iPS Cells

3D human skin equivalents were generated from gene-corrected iPSCs, differentiated into keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and grafted onto immunodeficient mice, which showed normal expression of C7 at the basement membrane zone as well as restored anchoring fibrils 2 months postgrafting. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Endogenous IGF Signaling Directs Heterogeneous Mesoderm Differentiation in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Scientists demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor (IGF) proteins were endogenously expressed during differentiation, and their temporal expression contributes to the cell fate diversity in mesoderm differentiation. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Modeling Progressive Fibrosis with Pluripotent Stem Cells Identifies an Anti-Fibrotic Small Molecule

Researchers describe the generation and characterization of an in vitro progressive fibrosis model that used cell types derived from iPSCs. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of hESC- and iPSC-Derived Lentoid Bodies

Scientists report generation of lentoid bodies from human ESCs and peripheral blood mononuclear cell-originated, iPSCs employing the “fried egg” method with brief modifications. The ultrastructure analysis of hESC- and iPSC-derived lentoid bodies identified closely packed lens epithelial- and differentiating fiber-like cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

CXCR2 Ligands and mTOR Activation Enhance Reprogramming of Human Somatic Cells to Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors showed that human placenta-derived cell conditioned medium stimulated chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) in human somatic cells ectopically expressing the pluripotency-associated transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and cMyc, leading to mTOR activation. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Phenotypic Screen with the Human Secretome Identifies FGF16 as Inducing Proliferation of iPSC-Derived Cardiac Progenitor Cells

FGF16 was shown to be specific for proliferation of cardiac progenitor cells, whereas FGF9 also proliferated human cardiac fibroblasts. FGF16 also proliferated naïve cardiac progenitor cells isolated from mouse heart and human cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent cells. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Parkinson’s Disease-Associated Changes in the Expression of Neurotrophic Factors and their Receptors upon Neuronal Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers found that mRNA levels of most analyzed genes were altered in Parkinson’s disease-derived cells compared with those in healthy donor-derived cells at all stages. [J Mol Neurosci] Abstract

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Reprogramming: Identifying the Mechanisms That Safeguard Cell Identity

The authors summarize recent studies that have provided insights into the various chromatin factors, post-transcriptional processes and features of genomic organization that safeguard cell identity in the context of reprogramming to pluripotency. [Development] Abstract

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Charles River Announces Strategic Partnership with Bit Bio, Increasing Portfolio of Translational Drug Discovery Technologies

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. announced that it has entered into an exclusive Discovery and Safety Services partnership with Bit Bio, a company that offers consistent and efficient reprogramming of human cells for use in research, drug discovery, and cell therapies. [Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Lineage Cell Therapeutics and AgeX Therapeutics Announce Issuance of US Patent for Method of Generating Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. and AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent No. 10,501,723, entitled “Methods of Reprogramming Animal Somatic Cells” covering what is commonly designated “iPS cells.” [Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

KU Leuven Investigates Whether Stem Cell Scientist Falsified Data

KU Leuven is investigating allegations that one of its researchers, acclaimed stem cell biologist Catherine Verfaillie, was involved in falsifying research in at least 10 scientific papers published between 1999 and 2018, Belgian newspaper De Tijd reported last week. [The Scientist] Editorial

Congress Set to Form Groups to Protect US Research Security

Congress is expected to approve an annual defense bill as early as this week that would create two federal bodies aimed at preventing foreign government influence in scientific research. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Linking Cells, the Cytoskeleton and the Nucleus in Mechanobiology, Aging and Disease
June 7-12, 2020
West Dover, Vermont, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Organ Progenitor Fate (University of Copenhagen)

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Cardiac iPSCs (Stanford Cardiovascular Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – iPSC Heart Cells (Stanford University)

Research Techician – iPSC Culture Lab (University of Luxembourg)

Postdoctoral Associate – Stem Cell Research (University of Minnesota Twin Cities)

Multiple Positions – Stem Cell Biology (NIH NCATS Stem Cell Translation Laboratory)

Research Assistant – Stem Cells and Engineering (New York Blood Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – CRISPR/Cas9 in ESCs (Institute of Molecular Biology GmbH)

Postdoctoral Researcher – iPSC Models in Neurology (IRIBHM)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Regenerative Medicine (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

Assistant Specialist – Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (University of California, Davis)

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