ESC & iPSC News Volume 6.39 | Oct 5 2011

The Influence of Scaffold Elasticity on Germ Layer Specification of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Results suggest that three dimensional scaffolds can recapitulate the mechanical stimuli required for directing human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation and that these stimuli can play a significant role in determining hESC fate. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Two-Phase Analysis of Molecular Pathways Underlying iPS Cell Induction
Here investigators have synchronized induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell reprogramming process by a two-phase induction: an initial stable intermediate phase following transduction with Oct4, Klf4, and c-Myc, and a final iPS cell phase following overexpression of Sox2. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Changes in Glycosphingolipid Composition During Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Ectodermal or Endodermal Lineages
In the present study, to further clarify if alterations in glycosphingolipids (GSL) patterns are correlated with lineage-specific differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), scientists analyzed changes in GSLs as hESCs differentiated into neural progenitors or endodermal cells by MALDI-MS and MS/MS analyses. [Stem Cells] Abstract

L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule, a Novel Surface Molecule of Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Is Essential for Self-Renewal and Pluripotency
Here researchers generated monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells but not to mouse embryonic stem cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Alternative Splicing Produces Nanog Protein Variants with Different Capacities for Self-Renewal and Pluripotency in Embryonic Stem Cells
Results reveal for the first time an expanded Nanog protein coding capacity. Investigators further reveal that a short region of the N-terminal domain and a single phosphorylatable Ser-2 is essential for the maintenance of self-renewal and pluripotency, demonstrating that this region of the protein is highly regulated. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

NPR-C Protects Embryonic Stem Cells from Apoptosis by Regulating p53 Levels
Here, investigators report a novel role for natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C) in the survival of murine embryonic stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

A Simple and Economical Route to Generate Functional Hepatocyte-Like Cells from hESCs and Their Application in Evaluating Alcohol Induced Liver Damage
Here scientists report a simple two-step protocol employing conditioned medium from human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2, to generate functional hepatocyte-like cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Comparative Study of Myocytes from Normal and Mdx Mice iPS Cells
In this study, researchers try to determine whether there are different characteristics of myocytes from mdx induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and C57BL/10 iPS cells. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

A Gene Expression—Based Screening System for Compounds Influencing Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
In this study, to classify a number of compounds, the authors established a gene expression–based screening system using mouse embryonic stem cells that monitored multiple parameters. [J Biomol Screen] Abstract

$9 Million Grant Fuels Sickle Cell Study
The Boston University team recently received a five-year, $9 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health to grow induced pluripotent stem cells as well as generate a living library of genetic variations of sickle cell disease. [Boston University] Press Release

Prominent Stem Cell Scientist to Relocate to UCSB from Britain
Pete Coffey will begin work as a full-time researcher at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) in November. [University of California, Santa Barbara] Press Release

International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) Leads Roundtable with Major US Payors, Healthcare Providers and Industry to Initiate a Collaboration to Address Cell Therapy Product Reimbursement
In keeping with its mission to drive the commercialization of cell therapy products and advance global patient access, ISCT hosted its second event this year in its Commercial Development Series, this time focusing on the timely issue of reimbursement for cell therapy and regenerative medicine products in the US market. [International Society for Cellular Therapy, United States] Press Release

White House Touts NSF’s New Family-Friendly Policies
The National Science Foundation (NSF) hopes that a new set of family-friendly policies will reduce the number of young women who abandon scientific careers because of responsibilities outside of the workplace. [National Science Foundation, United States] Press Release

NIH’s 2012 Budget Would Get 3.3% Boost in House Bill
A House of Representatives panel released a 2012 draft spending bill with surprisingly good news for the National Institutes of Health (NIH): The agency’s budget would rise $1 billion to $31.7 billion, a 3.3% increase compared with this year’s level. [National Institutes of Health, United States] Press Release

A Multi-Billion Dollar Injection: Stimulus—Response
The United States’ 2009 financial stimulus bill has provided research with breathing space, rather than the sharp shot in the arm that many anticipated. [National Institutes of Health, United States] Press Release

NIH Program Allows Junior Investigators to Bypass Traditional Post-Doc Training
A program designed to accelerate the entry of outstanding junior investigators into independent researcher positions immediately following completion of their graduate research degree or clinical residency has announced its first recipients. [National Institutes of Health (NIH), United States] Press Release

FDA: New Transparency Report Outlines Proposals for Enforcement Data, for Public Comment
The U.S Food and Drug Administration released 8 new draft proposals in a report titled “Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Transparency Initiative: Draft Proposals for Public Comment to Increase Transparency By Promoting Greater Access to the Agency’s Compliance and Enforcement Data.” [Food and Drug Administration, United States] Press Release

France Hangs On To Generous Research Tax Credit
Despite its increasingly dire financial situation, the French government has decided to keep its controversial Research Tax Credit. [French Government, France] Press Release

Japan to Boost Science Spending, Reduce Support for Nuclear Power
Japan’s ministry of education wants to boost overall science-related spending next year by 5.8%, to $14.7 billion. [Japan’s Ministry of Education, Japan] Press Release

NEW American Association for Cancer Research 103rd Annual Meeting 2012
March 31-April 4, 2012
Chicago, United States

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

Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist (iPSC) (STEMCELL Technologies)

Contract Assay Service Technologist (STEMCELL Technologies)

Lab Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Postdoctoral Scientist (Medical Research Council)

Postdoctoral Fellow Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in the Context of CNS Diseases (Abbott GmbH & Co. KGCo. KG)

Postdoctoral Positions in Stem Cells and Immunology (University of Connecticut)

Postdoctoral Scholar (University of California, Irvine)

PhD Research Position in the Department of Biological Chemistry (Weizmann Institute of Science)

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