ESC & iPSC News Volume 5.22 | Jun 9 2010

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    ESC & iPSC News 5.22, June 9, 2010.
    In this issue:  Science News |  Current Publications |  Industry News |  Policy News |  Events
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    TOP STORY

    Scientists’ Finding of an Ancient Viral Invasion that Shaped the Human Genome an Important Step Towards Advancement in Regenerative Medicine
    Scientists have discovered that viruses that ‘invaded’ the human genome millions of years ago have changed the way genes get turned on and off in human embryonic stem cells. [Press release from the Genome Institute of Singapore discussing online prepublication in Nature Genetics]

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    SCIENCE NEWS

    Stem Cells for First Time Used to Create Abnormal Heart Cells for Study of Cardiomyopathy
    Researchers have, for the first time, differentiated human stem cells to become heart cells with cardiomyopathy. [Press release from ScienceDaily discussing online prepublication in Nature]

    New Type of Human Stem Cell May Be Easier to Manipulate
    Researchers have developed a new type of human pluripotent stem cell that can be manipulated more readily than currently available stem cells. [Press release from the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Regenerative Medicine discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell]

    Gene Related to Aging Plays Role in Stem Cell Differentiation
    A gene shown to play a role in the aging process appears to play a role in the regulation of the differentiation of embryonic stem cells. [Press release from Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals discussing online prepublication in Aging Cell]

    mTeSR 
    Derive iPSCs feeder-free* with mTeSR®1
    by STEMCELL Technologies
     
     
    *Sun et al., PNAS, September 2009.
    *Chan et al., Nature Biotechnology, October 2009.
    STEMCELL Technologies Inc
     



    CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

    Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell-Derived Models of LEOPARD Syndrome
    Researchers show that in vitro-derived cardiomyocytes from LEOPARD syndrome induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are larger, have a higher degree of sarcomeric organization and preferential localization of NFATC4 in the nucleus when compared with cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells or wild-type iPSCs derived from a healthy brother of one of the LEOPARD syndrome patients. [Nature]

    Transposable Elements Have Rewired the Core Regulatory Network of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
    Data indicate that species-specific transposable elements have substantially altered the transcriptional circuitry of pluripotent stem cells. [Nat Genet]

    A Murine ESC-Like State Facilitates Transgenesis and Homologous Recombination in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Researchers demonstrate that human induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming in the presence of LIF yields human stem cells that display morphological, molecular, and functional properties of murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs). [Cell Stem Cell]

    ESCs Require PRC2 to Direct the Successful Reprogramming of Differentiated Cells toward Pluripotency
    To investigate whether polycomb-group proteins are required for establishing, rather than maintaining, the pluripotent state, researchers compared the ability of wild-type, polycomb repressive complex (PRC)1-, and PRC2-depleted embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to reprogram human lymphocytes. [Cell Stem Cell]

    The Role of YAP Transcription Coactivator in Regulating Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Differentiation
    Researchers report that yes-associated protein (YAP) is inactivated during embryonic stem cell differentiation, as indicated by decreased protein levels and increased phosphorylation. Consistently, YAP is elevated during induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming. [Genes Dev]

    Tracking Differentiating Neural Progenitors in Pluripotent Cultures Using MicroRNA-Regulated Lentiviral Vectors
    Using the present strategy, it was possible to track progeny from murine embryonic stem (ES) cells, human ES cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells as they differentiated toward the neural lineage. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

    A Role for the Werner Syndrome Protein in Epigenetic Inactivation of the Pluripotency Factor Oct4
    The presented results reveal a novel function of the protein encoded by the WRN gene, WRNp, and demonstrate that WRNp controls a key step in pluripotent stem cell differentiation. [Aging Cell]

    E-Cadherin-Mediated Cell-Cell Contact is Critical for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generation
    Results highlight the critical role of E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contact in reprogramming and suggest new routes for more efficient induced pluripotent stem cell generation. [Stem Cells]

    Generation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Bearing an Anti-HIV Transgene by a Lentiviral Vector Carrying an Internal Murine Leukemia Virus Promoter
    Data indicate that researchers’ chimeric lentiviral vector is a valuable tool for generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the combination with vectors encoding transgenes allows for rapid establishment of desired genetically engineered iPSC lines. [Hum Gene Ther]

    Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Completely Defined Conditions on a Recombinant E-Cadherin Substratum
    Human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells were grown on plates coated with a fusion protein consisting of E-cadherin and the IgG Fc domain using mTeSR1 medium. [BMC Dev Biol]



    INDUSTRY NEWS

    University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic Sign Research Pact with Karolinska
    The University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic, under the mantle of the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics, have formed a strategic research relationship with the Karolinska Institute of Stockholm, Sweden. Leaders of each institution signed memoranda of understanding to commit to the formal ongoing collaboration, called the Frontiers of Biomedical Research. [Mayo Clinic Press Release]

    Lonza Announces Worldwide, Exclusive Licensing and Supply Agreements with California Stem Cell Inc.
    Lonza Inc. has entered worldwide, exclusive licensing and supply agreements with California Stem Cell Inc. This collaboration makes novel pluripotent stem cell products readily available to researchers worldwide. [Lonza, Inc. Press Release]

    International Stem Cell Corporation’s Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Patent is Approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office
    International Stem Cell Corporation announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted ISCO patent number 7,732,202, the first of several pending patents relating to its development of human parthenogenetic stem cells. [International Stem Cell Corporation Press Release]

    ISSCR Launches Web Site Providing Information on Stem Cell Treatments
    The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) announced that it has launched “A Closer Look at Stem Cell Treatments” (www.closerlookatstemcells.org), a Web site to arm patients, their families and doctors with information they need to make decisions about stem cell treatments. [International Society for Stem Cell Research Press Release]

    GnuBio, a Harvard Spinout, Aims to Become an “eBay of Biomarkers”
    GnuBio is a new Harvard University spinout that is poised to become an “eBay of Biomarkers,” according to founder John Boyce. The company is part genome sequencing, part database management, part social network. [Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Press Release]

    The New York Stem Cell Foundation Awards Fellowships to Eight Innovative Stem Cell Scientists
    The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) announced the award of eight new NYSCF-Druckenmiller Fellows. [The New York Stem Cell Foundation Press Release]

    Statement from the Stem Cell Institute Regarding Decision to Close Costa Rican Operations
    The Stem Cell Institute announced that it proactively and independently made the business decision in early June to close its clinic and lab in Costa Rica and centralize all operations in Panama City, Panama. [PR Newswire]



    POLICY NEWS

    Obama Nominates Suresh to Lead NSF
    President Barack Obama has chosen Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineering Dean Subra Suresh to be the next director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). [National Science Foundation, United States]

    Treasury Releases New Guidance for Tax Credit in Affordable Care Act to Support Groundbreaking Biomedical Research
    The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the guidelines for applying for the new Therapeutic Discovery Project Program created by the Affordable Care Act. [Department of the Treasury, United States]

    STAR METRICS: New Way to Measure the Impact of Federally Funded Research
    A new initiative–Science and Technology for America’s Reinvestment: Measuring the Effect of Research on Innovation, Competitiveness and Science, or STAR METRICS–promises to monitor the impact of federal science investments on employment, knowledge generation, and health outcomes. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    Gene Test Hope for Personalized Cancer Therapy
    National Health Service patients are to be offered personalized cancer treatment under a pilot scheme to carry out genetic tests on individuals’ tumors. [National Health Service, United Kingdom]

    Final Report of The National Academies’ Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee and 2010 Amendments to the National Academies’ Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research [National Academy of Sciences, United States]

    2010 Biological License Application Approvals [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

    2010 Biological Device Application Approvals [Food and Drug Administration, United States]



    EVENTS

    8th International Conference on Cell and Stem Cell Engineering (ICCE2010)
    June 11-12, 2010
    Dublin, Ireland


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


    Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Scientific Symposium
    June 14, 2010
    Los Angeles, United States


    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

    2nd International Conference on Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (ICCMB2)
    August 2-4, 2010
    Singapore

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


    Select Biosciences Inaugural Cellular Therapy Summit

    August 24-25, 2010
    Edinburgh, Scotland

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


    Stem Cells USA & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2010
    September 13-15, 2010
    Philadelphia, United States


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

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


    Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium Leipzig 2010
    October 29-30, 2010
    Leipzig, Germany


    Select Biosciences 2nd International Forum on Stem Cells
    November 12-13, 2010
    Tianjin, China


    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


    Stem Cells World Congress
    January 24-25, 2011
    San Diego, 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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