ESC & iPSC News Volume 6.40 | Oct 12 2011

Targeted Gene Correction of α₁-Antitrypsin Deficiency in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Here researchers show that a combination of zinc finger nucleases and piggyBac technology in human induced pluripotent stem cells can achieve biallelic correction of a point mutation (Glu342Lys) in the α₁-antitrypsin (A1AT, also known as SERPINA1) gene that is responsible for α₁-antitrypsin deficiency. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

Genome Sequencing of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reveals Retroelement Stability and Infrequent DNA Rearrangement During Reprogramming
Here scientists employ whole-genome paired-end DNA sequencing and sensitive mapping algorithms to identify all classes of structural variation in three fully pluripotent mouse induced pluripotent stem cell lines. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Sox2⁺ Adult Stem and Progenitor Cells Are Important for Tissue Regeneration and Survival of Mice
Researchers show here that Sox2 marks adult cells in several epithelial tissues where its expression has not previously been characterized, including the stomach, cervix, anus, testes, lens, and multiple glands. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Rapid and Efficient Reprogramming of Somatic Cells to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells By Retinoic Acid Receptor Gamma and Liver Receptor Homolog 1
Here investigators report that enhancing retinoic acid (RA) signaling by expressing RA receptors (RARs) or by RA agonists profoundly promoted reprogramming, but inhibiting it using a RAR-α dominant-negative form completely blocked it. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Reprogramming Somatic Cells Into iPS Cells Activates LINE-1 Retroelement Mobility
Scientists have assessed long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) mRNA expression and L1 retrotransposition in two biologically relevant cell types, human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as well as in control parental human dermal fibroblasts. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract

Increased Dosage of Tumor Suppressors Limits the Tumorigenicity of iPS Cells without Affecting Their Pluripotency
The system provides a model for studying tumor suppressor pathways during reprogramming, differentiation and cell therapy applications and offers an improved understanding of the pathways involved in tumor growth from engrafted pluripotent stem cells, which could facilitate the use of embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in regenerative medicine. [Aging Cell] Abstract

A Critical Role of Mitochondrial Phosphatase Ptpmt1 in Embryogenesis Reveals a Mitochondrial Metabolic Stress-Induced Differentiation Checkpoint in Embryonic Stem Cells
The studies, while establishing a crucial role for Ptpmt1 phosphatase in embryogenesis, reveal a mitochondrial metabolic stress-activated checkpoint in controlling embryonic stem cell differentiation. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

The Effect of Topography on Differentiation Fates of Matrigel-Coated Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Cultured on PLGA Nanofibrous Scaffolds
Findings demonstrated that distinct ranges of roughness, height and distribution can support/promote a specific cell differentiation fate on scaffolds. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Vitamin C Promotes Differentiation of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Cardiomyocyte In Vitro
The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of vitamin C on the cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells. [Heart] Abstract

The New York Stem Cell Foundation Awards $10.5 Million to 7 New NYSCF – Robertson Investigators
The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) named seven of the nation’s most promising young scientists as its 2011 class of NYSCF – Robertson Investigators. [EurekAlert!] Press Release

Stem Cell Centre Gets Green Light from UK Government
The cell therapy centre, which will open in April 2012, is part of a £220 million program to turn British skills into manufacturing success. [The Guardian] Press Release

Europe Cuts Funding Red Tape
The European Commission acknowledges that burdensome administration, including a plethora of time sheets, financial audits and complicated rules, has discouraged some researchers from taking part in its €50.5 billion Seventh Framework Programme. [European Commission, France] Press Release

European Medicines Agency’s Management Board Officially Appoints Guido Rasi as New Executive Director
At its 6 October 2011 meeting in London, the European Medicines Agency’s Management Board formally appointed Guido Rasi as the new Executive Director of the Agency. [European Medicines Agency, European Union] Press Release

FDA Commissioner Outlines Steps to Spur Biomedical Innovation, Improve Health of Americans
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., released a blueprint containing immediate steps that can be taken to drive biomedical innovation, while improving the health of Americans. [Food and Drug Administration, United States] Press Release

NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry [National Institutes of Health (NIH), United States]

NEW 6th Annual Congress of the German Society for Stem Cell Research
November 20-22, 2011
Duesseldorf, Germany

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)

Quality Control Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – 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)

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

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