ESC & iPSC News Volume 5.20 | May 26 2010

TOP STORY

Alternative Splicing Regulates Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency and Differentiation
The findings herein illustrate a critical role for alternative splicing (AS) in the specification of embryonic stem cells with differentiation, and highlight the utility of global functional analyses of AS. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

SPECIAL FEATURE

SCIENCE NEWS

Study Sheds Light into the Nature of Embryonic Stem Cells
A study at the University of Edinburgh has shown that embryonic stem cells consist of cells that switch back and forth between precursors of different cell types. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in PLoS Biology]

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

Functional Heterogeneity of Embryonic Stem Cells Revealed through Translational Amplification of an Early Endodermal Transcript
The data support a model in which embryonic stem cell culture has trapped a set of interconvertible cell states reminiscent of the early stages in blastocyst differentiation that may exist only transiently in the early embryo. [PLoS Biology]

A Model for Genetic and Epigenetic Regulatory Networks Identifies Rare Pathways for Transcription Factor Induced Pluripotency
Researchers have developed a computational model for the architecture of the epigenetic and genetic regulatory networks which describes transformations resulting from expression of reprogramming factors. Importantly, these studies identify the rare temporal pathways that result in induced pluripotent cells. [PLoS Comput Biol]

Long-Term Culture of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Derived Adherent Neurospheres and Functional Neurons
Researchers describe here a novel and efficient long-lasting protocol for in vitro embryonic stem cell differentiation into neuronal cells. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods]

Generation of Retinal Ganglion-Like Cells from Reprogrammed Mouse Fibroblasts
Researchers sought to determine whether induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells express retinal progenitor cell related genes, and whether iPS cells can directly differentiate into retinal ganglion cells. [Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci]

Homologous Recombination Conserves DNA Sequence Integrity Throughout the Cell Cycle in Embryonic Stem Cells
Relatively frequent homologous recombination utilizing homolog chromosome sequences preserves genome integrity in embryonic stem cells and has distinctive and important genetic consequences to subsequent somatic and germ cell lineages. [Stem Cells Dev]

PECAM-1, SSEA-1 and Flk-1 Mark Distinct Populations of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells During Differentiation Towards Hematopoietic/Endothelial Cells
This work revealed a sequential change in platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), SSEA-1 and Flk-1 expression during embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation, therefore they could be valuable cell surface markers for isolating cells at distinct developmental stages in ES cell differentiation. [Stem Cells Dev]

Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) Related with Telomerase Activity Regulates Tumorigenic Potential of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
These results suggested that mTERT might be potentially beneficial as a biomarker, rather than oncogenes of somatic cells, for the assessment of embryonic stem cells tumorigenicity. [Stem Cells Dev]

Direct Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Non-Mobilized Blood
Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from mononuclear cells of non-mobilized peripheral blood, with its relative efficiency and ease of harvesting, could enable the therapeutic use of patient-specific pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev]

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 Mediates Human Embryonic Germ Cell Derivation
Here, researchers sought to determine whether recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-4 could influence embryonic germ cell derivation and/or human primordial germ cell survival. [Stem Cells Dev]

INDUSTRY NEWS

United States FDA Clears Phase 2 Trial for Cervical Spinal Fusion
Australia’s regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast Limited, announced that it has received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin Phase 2 clinical trials of its “off-the-shelf” or allogeneic stem cell product NeoFuse™ for fusion of the cervical spine in the neck. [Mesoblast Limited Press Release]

Geron Announces Positive Study Data on GRNCM1
Geron Corporation reported positive preclinical study data showing that GRNCM1, Geron’s cardiomyocyte product derived from human embryonic stem cells, does not cause cardiac arrhythmias after transplantation into a model of chronic heart damage designed to test this potential safety concern. [Geron Corporation Press Release]

Harnessing the Power of Stem Cells to Unlock the Secrets of Motor Neuron Disease
The Motor Neurone Disease Association is funding its first ever stem cell research programme to help unlock the secrets of this fatal, neurological condition. [Motor Neurone Disease Association Press Release]

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Wins $2.45 Million Grant to Support Stem Cell Research
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and principal investigator Glenn Monastersky have been awarded a four-year $2.45 million grant from the New York Stem Cell Science Program of the Empire State Stem Cell Board. [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Press Release]

HHMI Awards $79 Million for Science Education to Research Universities, Top Scientists
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) announced new grants totaling $79 million that will help universities strengthen undergraduate and precollege science education nationwide. [Howard Hughes Medical Institute Press Release]

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Announces 42 Projects for Funding
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission has completed its evaluation of the 141 applications in response to its three official Requests for Applications during the FY 2010 funding cycle. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Press Release]

Pfizer to Cut 6,000 Jobs, Close Eight Plants
Pfizer Inc. plans to eliminate 6,000 manufacturing jobs over the next 18 months to five years as it closes eight plants and reduces operations at six others. [St. Louis Business Journal]

EVENTS

Stem Cell Investor & Executive Networking Conference Event (S.C.I.E.N.C.E.)
June 1, 2010
New York, United States

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – European Union 2010
June 13-17, 2010
Galway, Ireland

International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 8th Annual Meeting
June 16-19, 2010
San Francisco, United States

United Kingdom National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) 3rd Annual Scientific Conference
July 12-14, 2010
Nottingham, United Kingdom

Select BioSciences 3rd Annual Stem Cells Europe Conference
August 24-25, 2010
Edinburgh, Scotland

International Society for Cell Therapy (ISCT) – Europe 2nd Regional Meeting
September 11-14, 2010
Belgirate, Italy

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – Asia Pacific 2010
September 15-17, 2010
Sydney, Australia

2010 World Stem Cell Summit
October 4-6, 2010
Detroit, United States

5th World Congress on Preventive & Regenerative Medicine (WCRM) 2010
October 5-7, 2010
Hannover, Germany

Stem Cell Network 10th Annual Scientific Meeting
November 22-24, 2010
Calgary, Canada

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – North America 2010 Annual Conference
December 5-8, 2010
Orlando, United States

Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.

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