ESC & iPSC News Volume 5.28 | Jul 21 2010

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    ESC & iPSC News 5.28, July 21, 2010.
    In this issue:  Science News |  Current Publications |  Industry News |  Policy News |  Events
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    TOP STORY

    Two Harvard Stem Cell Institute Groups Find Residual Genetic “Memory” in iPS Cells
    Groups at Massachusetts General Hospital and Children’s Hospital Boston have each found that of induced pluripotent stem cells retain some of the genetic characteristics — an epigenetic “memory” — of the cells from which they are derived. [Press release from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute discussing online prepublication in Nature and Nature Biotechnology]

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    SCIENCE NEWS

    Unearthing King Tet: Key Protein Influences Stem Cell Fate
    Researchers have discovered that a protein called Tet 1 helps stem cells renew themselves and stay pluripotent. [Press release from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in Nature]

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    CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

    Role of Tet Proteins in 5mC to 5hmC Conversion, Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Inner Cell Mass Specification
    Studies not only uncover the enzymatic activity of the Tet proteins, but also demonstrate a role for Tet1 in embryonic stem cell maintenance and inner cell mass cell specification. [Nature]

    Epigenetic Memory in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Researchers observed that low-passage induced pluripotent stem cells derived by factor-based reprogramming of adult murine tissues harbor residual DNA methylation signatures characteristic of their somatic tissue of origin, which favors their differentiation along lineages related to the donor cell, while restricting alternative cell fates. [Nature]

    Cell Type of Origin Influences the Molecular and Functional Properties of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Researchers show that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) obtained from mouse fibroblasts, hematopoietic and myogenic cells exhibit distinct transcriptional and epigenetic patterns. Moreover, they demonstrate that cellular origin influences the in vitro differentiation potentials of iPSCs into embryoid bodies and different hematopoietic cell types. [Nat Biotechnol]

    Mapping the First Stages of Mesoderm Commitment During Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
    Researchers report that mesoderm commitment from human embryonic stem cells is initiated by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition as shown by gene expression profiling and by reciprocal changes in expression of the cell surface proteins, EpCAM/CD326 and NCAM/CD56. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

    RNAi Screen for Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Transcriptional Regulators Identifies HIF1Alpha as Critical for Telomerase Function in Murine Embryonic Stem Cells
    Findings suggest a direct effect of Hif1alpha on telomerase regulation in murine embryonic stem cells, and imply that Hif1alpha may have a physiologically relevant role in maintenance of functional levels of telomerase in stem cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

    Sirtuin 1 Regulation of Developmental Genes During Differentiation of Stem Cells
    Researchers show that Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is down-regulated precisely during human embryonic stem cell differentiation at both mRNA and protein levels and that the decrease in Sirt1 mRNA is mediated by a molecular pathway that involves the RNA-binding protein HuR and the arginine methyltransferase coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

    Human Embryonic Stem Cells as Models for Aneuploid Chromosomal Syndromes
    The results presented here suggest that aneuploid embryos can serve as an alternative source for either normal euploid or aneuploid human embryonic stem cell lines, which represent an invaluable tool to study developmental aspects of chromosomal abnormalities in humans. [Stem Cells]

    Genome-Wide Gain-of-Function Screen Identifies Novel Regulators of Pluripotency
    The reporter-activating hits Timp2, Hig2, and Mki67ip promoted embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal when episomally overexpressed in ES cells, whereas the reporter-inhibiting hits PU.1/Spi1, Prkaca, and Jun induced differentiation of ES cells. [Stem Cells]

    A Small Synthetic Cripto Blocking Peptide Improves Neural Induction, Dopaminergic Differentiation and Functional Integration of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease
    Cripto Blocking Peptide-treated embryonic stem cells, when transplanted into the striatum of Parkinson’s Disease rats, enhanced functional recovery and reduced tumor formation, mimicking the effect of genetic ablation of cripto. [Stem Cells]

    Zap70 Functions to Maintain Stemness of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Negatively Regulating Jak1/Stat3/c-Myc Signaling
    Researchers report that Zap70 is expressed in undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and may critically regulate self-renewal and pluripotency in mESCs. [Stem Cells]

    INDUSTRY NEWS

    International Stem Cell Corporation and Insight Bioventures Seek to Establish Indian Operations
    International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO), and Insight Bioventures India Private Limited, announced that they have signed a letter of intent concerning funding and establishment of an Indian affiliate of ISCO. [International Stem Cell Corporation Press Release]

    New Research Collaboration to Advance Stem Cell Use
    North East-based Orla Protein Technologies Ltd., the UK Stem Cell Bank and Newcastle University, have been awarded a grant by the Technology Strategy Board to develop technology which could dramatically improve the way cells are grown in a laboratory. [UK Stem Cell Bank Press Release]

    Kymab and Wellcome Trust Sign £20 Million Financing to Build a UK Biopharmaceutical Company Based on Human Monoclonal Antibody Technology from the Sanger Institute
    Kymab and The Wellcome Trust investment division announced a £20 million Series A equity financing. [Kymab Limited Press Release]

    Wilmot Obtains Nearly $2 Million in Cancer Stem Cell Funding
    Two large federal grants received this summer will allow researchers at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center to continue their work into stem cells that give rise to cancer. [University of Rochester Medical Center Press Release]

    Mesoblast Receives TGA Regulatory Approval to Commercially Manufacture Adult Stem Cell Products
    Australian regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast Limited announced that the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a license to Mesoblast to manufacture and supply its proprietary Mesenchymal Precursor Cell products. [Mesoblast Limited Press Release]

    Stem Cell Treatment Could Help Heart Attack Patients
    A South Wales stem cell company is pioneering a treatment that could help “hundreds of thousands” of heart attack victims in the UK. The treatment, produced by Cell Therapy, may be rolled out across the UK in 25 specialist centers “within a year” after the completion of testing. [WalesOnline]

    POLICY NEWS

    House Panel Approves 3.2% Raise for NIH in 2011
    A House of Representatives spending panel yesterday approved a $1 billion increase, to $32 billion, in the 2011 budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    NIH Expands National Network for Transforming Clinical and Translational Research
    Nine health research centers have received funds to develop ways to reduce the time it takes for clinical research to become treatments for patients. The funds were awarded as part of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards program which is led by the National Center for Research Resources. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    FDA Weighs Rules for Consumer Genetic Tests
    A high bar is likely to be set for companies seeking to sell genetic tests directly to consumers, according to top Food and Drug Administration officials. The agency is convening a two-day public hearing to discuss how it would regulate diagnostic tests, including direct-to-consumer tests. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

    Brussels to Invest $8.3 Billion in Research
    Research organizations, universities, and industry will receive a sum of EUR6.4 billion next year in the European Commission’s largest ever allocation for research and innovation. [European Commission, European Union]

    Ireland Keeps Light Shining on Science with New Spending
    In a surprise move, the Irish government (which is tottering on the brink of bankruptcy) announced that it would inject EUR359 million into research. [Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions, Ireland]

    Russian Researchers Call for Better Coordination of Science
    More than 2200 researchers sent an open letter to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last week asking the government to set Russian science in order and to consult with the scientific community when making major science-policy decisions. [Russia]

    ‘Game Over’ for British Science?
    The Royal Society and the British Academy strongly warned the British government that looming cuts to science funding could be “irreversibly catastrophic for the future of U.K. science and economic growth” if they go too far. [The Royal Society and the British Academy, United Kingdom]

    Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for Which Public Health Service Funding Is Sought and Responsible Prospective Contractors [Docket Number NIH-2010-0001] [Department of Health and Human Services, United States]

    Office of Biotechnology Activities; Recombinant DNA Research: Proposed Action Under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines) (Doc. 2010-17668) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    Pre-Application Meeting for Request for Applications (RFA-CA-10-016) for the Clinical Proteomic Technologies for Cancer Initiative (CPTC): Proteome Characterization Centers (NOT-CA-10-031) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    Notice of Intent to Publish a Request for Applications for Tumor Microenvironment Network (TMEN) (NOT-CA-10-032) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    Clarification of Additional Research Objectives for NICHD PAR-08-138, Genetic Screens to Enhance Zebrafish Research (R01) (NOT-HD-10-015) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    NIMH Announces Availability of Funds for Competitive Revision Applications for a Repository Supporting Stem Cell Research Relevant to Mental Disorders (U24) (NOT-MH-10-024) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    Notice of Expiration of Biomedical Technology Research Resource (PAR-08-259) and Reissuance of Biomedical Technology Research Center (P41)(PAR-10-225) (NOT-RR-10-011) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    2011 NIH Directors New Innovator Award Program (DP2) (RFA-RM-10-009) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. et al.; Withdrawal of Approval of 27 New Drug Applications and 58 Abbreviated New Drug Applications [Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0318] [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

    EVENTS

    NEW Cold Spring Harbor Workshop on Stem Cells
    July 30-August 5, 2010
    Cold Spring Harbor, United States

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

    NEW 9th Mount Desert Island Stem Cell Symposium
    August 6-7, 2010
    Salsbury Cove, United States

    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

    NEW Select Biosciences 2nd Annual World Biobanking Summit
    August 24-25, 2010
    Edinburgh, Scotland

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

    NEW Hydra VI: The European Summer School on Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine
    September 11-17, 2010
    Hydra, Greece

    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

    NEW 5th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Stem Cell Research
    September 30-October 2, 2010
    Lübeck, Germany

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

    NEW Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Production and Utility in Regenerative Medicine
    October 7, 2010
    Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

    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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