ESC & iPSC News Volume 6.43 | Nov 2 2011

Reduced Collagen Deposition in Infarcted Myocardium Facilitates Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Engraftment and Angiomyogenesis for Improvement of Left Ventricular Function
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of scar tissue composition on engraftment of progenitor cells into infarcted myocardium. [J Am Coll Cardiol] Abstract

Normal Collagen and Bone Production by Gene-Targeted Human Osteogenesis Imperfecta iPSCs
Results demonstrate that the combination of gene targeting and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derivation can be used to produce potentially therapeutic cells from patients with genetic disease. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein Regulates the Cell Cycle through IRES-Dependent Translation of CDK11p58 in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
The present study shows that polypyrimidine tract-binding protein promotes M phase progression by the direct repression of CDK11p58 internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity in embryonic stem cells. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Translating Human Embryonic Stem Cells from 2D to 3D Cultures in a Defined Medium on Laminin and Vitronectin Coated Surfaces
The present study describes a system with defined conditions that are capable of supporting the long-term 2D culture of human embryonic stem cells, and the transposing of these conditions to 3D microcarrier cultures. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Exacerbation of Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death and Differentiation in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Lacking Heme Oxygenase-1
Results demonstrate that a lack of heme oxygenase-1 renders induced pluripotent stem cells more prone to oxidative stress-induced cell death and differentiation. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Hypoxia Enhances the Generation of Retinal Progenitor Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent and Embryonic Stem Cells
In this study, researchers examined the effect of mimicking the physiological O₂ tension (2%) on the generation of retinal progenitor cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Human Engineered Heart Tissue as a Versatile Tool in Basic Research and Preclinical Toxicology
Here investigators describe a simple and robust protocol for the generation of fibrin-based human engineered heart tissue in a 24-well format using an unselected population of differentiated human embryonic stem cells containing 30–40% α-actinin-positive cardiac myocytes. [PLoS One] Abstract

Human Embryonic Stem Cells Derived from Embryos at Different Stages of Development Share Similar Transcription Profiles
To examine whether human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines derived from two developmental stages of the embryo differ in gene expression, scientists have subjected three blastomere-derived  hESC lines and two ICM-derived hESC lines grown under identical culture conditions to transcriptome analysis using gene expression arrays. [PLoS One] Abstract

California State Stem Cell Agency Enters Historic Agreement to Foster Collaboration Between California Researchers and National Institutes of Health Investigators
The memorandum of understanding signed by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine President Alan Trounson and Michael Gottesman, Deputy Director for Intramural Research at the National Institutes of Health, is a pilot project of these partnerships in clinical and translational research. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

Japan’s New Okinawa Institute Officially Becomes Graduate University
A budding new Japanese graduate school backed by the likes of Nobel laureates Sydney Brenner, Susumu Tonegawa, Jerome Friedman, and others has cleared the last hurdle required to start teaching. Earlier, Japan’s cabinet officially approved the law formally recognizing the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University. [ScienceInsider] Press Release

Upstate Researcher Lands $1.5 Million NIH Grant for Vision Research
Upstate Medical University researcher Andrea Viczian, Ph.D., has been awarded a four-year grant totaling nearly $1.5 million from the National Institutes of Health. [Upstate Medical University] Press Release

Stem Cell Action Coalition Calls for Mississippi Voters to Reject Initiative 26 “Personhood Amendment”
The Stem Cell Action Coalition calls for voters in Mississippi to vote “no” on Initiative 26, the so-called Mississippi “personhood amendment”. Mississippi voters will face this initiative on November 8. [Stem Cell Action Coalition, United States] Press Release

CIRM Allocates $38 Million for Programs to Foster Young Scientists and Fund Basic Stem Cell Discoveries
The governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved future funding rounds worth $38 million that would foster creativity and scientific innovation in high school students and fund basic stem cell discoveries. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, United States] Press Release

FDA Invests $2 Million in Partnerships through Centers of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the award of $2 million to support two regional Centers of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation. [Food and Drug Administration, United States] Press Release

EU to Fund Tunisian Research Program
Tunisia has launched a program to promote science research and innovation, which will run from 2011 to 2014 with a €12 million fund provided by the European Union (EU). [Tunisian Agency for the Promotion of Scientific Research, Tunisia] Press Release

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)

Scientist – Differentiation Segment (Stemgent, Inc.)

Junior/Senior Research Fellowship in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Masaryk University)

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