ESC & iPSC News Volume 6.46 | Nov 23 2011

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    ESC & iPSC News 6.46, November 23, 2011

    ESC & iPSC News

         In this issue: Publications | Science News | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs
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    TOP STORY
    Implanted Neurons, Grown in the Lab, Take Charge of Brain Circuitry
    A team of scientists reports that neurons, forged in the lab from human embryonic stem cells and implanted into the brains of mice, can successfully fuse with the brain’s wiring and both send and receive signals. [Press release from the University of Wisconsin-Madison discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, United States] Press Release | Abstract

    Request a pluripotent stem cell wallchart from Nature and STEMCELL

    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)
    The Histone Demethylases Jhdm1a/1b Enhance Somatic Cell Reprogramming in a Vitamin-C-Dependent Manner
    Scientists show that the histone demethylases Jhdm1a/1b are key effectors of somatic cell reprogramming downstream of vitamin C. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

    Multipotent Vasculogenic Pericytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Promote Recovery of Murine Ischemic Limb
    Researchers found that during human pluripotent stem cell development, spontaneously differentiating embryoid bodies give rise to CD105+CD90+CD73+CD31– multipotent clonogenic mesodermal precursors, which can be isolated and efficiently expanded. [Circulation] Abstract

    The Quantitative Proteomes of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Embryonic Stem Cells
    Investigators present an in-depth quantitative mass spectrometry-based analysis of human embryonic stem cells, two different human-induced pluripotent stem cells, and their precursor fibroblast cell lines. [Mol Syst Biol] Abstract

    Rapid Generation of Mature Hepatocyte-Like Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by an Efficient Three-Step Protocol
    Scientists describe an efficient and rapid three-step protocol that is able to rapidly generate hepatocyte-like cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells. [Hepatology] Abstract

    Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Astrocytes Mediate Non-Cell-Autonomous Neuroprotection through Endogenous and Drug-Induced Mechanisms
    Researchers describe a human embryonic stem cell-based system to assess the scope and mechanism of human astrocyte-mediated neuroprotection. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

    Efficient Reprogramming of Human Cord Blood CD34+ Cells into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells with OCT4 and SOX2 Alone
    Investigators show that the lentiviral expression of OCT4 together with SOX2 driven by a strong spleen focus-forming virus promoter in a single vector can convert 2% of cord blood CD34+ cells into induced pluripotent stem cells without additional reprogramming factors. [Mol Ther] Abstract

    Directed Evolution of Adeno-Associated Virus for Enhanced Gene Delivery and Gene Targeting in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Directed evolution is a powerful means to generate viral vectors with novel capabilities and scientists have applied this approach to create a novel adeno-associated virus variant with high gene delivery efficiencies (~50%) to human pluripotent stem cells, which are importantly accompanied by a considerable increase in gene-targeting frequencies, up to 0.12%. [Mol Ther] Abstract

    Efficient Generation of A9 Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons by Lentiviral Delivery of LMX1A in Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Data shows that stable genetic engineering of human embryonic stem cells/induced pluripotent stem cells with lentiviral vectors driving controlled expression of LMX1A is an efficient way to generate enriched populations of human A9-subtype ventral midbrain dopamine neurons. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract

    See How Leading hPSC Researchers Have Achieved Worldwide Recognition with mTeSR1

    SCIENCE NEWS
    Stanford/SCVMC Team Treats Final Patient in Landmark Stem Cell Therapy Trial
    The Stanford University School of Medicine and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) treated the fifth patient in the Geron Corp-sponsored trial of a human embryonic-stem-cell-derived treatment for severe spinal cord injury on Nov. 16. [Stanford University School of Medicine] Press Release

    INDUSTRY NEWS
    VistaGen Therapeutics and University Health Network Extend Broad Stem Cell Alliance and Expand Scope of Collaborative Research
    VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. and the University Health Network have expanded their existing collaborative pluripotent stem cell research and development program, and extended it through September 2017. [Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

    MUSC, Israeli Institutions Join to Advance Stem Cell Research
    Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) President Dr. Ray Greenberg and Dr. Rafael Beyar, CEO and Director General of Rambam Health Care Campus, signed a memorandum of understanding for further collaboration among the medical university and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and the Rambam Health Care Campus. [Medical University of South Carolina] Press Release

    POLICY NEWS
    NSF Slated for a 2.5% Boost in 2012 Budget
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) is due to receive a surprising 2.5% increase in its 2012 budget. That good news came from a conference report filed for three spending bills, expected to be approved by Congress. [National Science Foundation, United States] Press Release

    Former HHS Secretary Thompson Urges Obama to Appoint Stem Cell Commission
    Former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson urged President Obama to take the lead in promoting adult stem cell research and give the divisive debate over embryonic stem cells a rest. [White House, United States] Press Release

    Congress Slashes Budget of White House Science Office
    Frustrated that White House officials have ignored congressional language curtailing scientific collaborations with China, legislators have decided to get their attention through a 32% cut in the tiny budget of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. [Office of Science and Technology, United States] Press Release

    Italy Names New Research Minister: Francesco Profumo
    Italy’s new government has chosen Francesco Profumo, the relatively green chief of the national research agency, to be Minister for Education, Universities, and Research. [Italian Government, Italy] Press Release

    University Suggests Releasing Info on Primate Experiments Could Break U.K. Law
    An animal rights group won the upper hand in its freedom of information request when the United Kingdom’s Information Tribunal Court ruled on 11 November that the Newcastle upon Tyne must release the project licenses of macaque researchers there. Newcastle has not yet decided whether to appeal the ruling, but the university believes that releasing the information would break a U.K. animal experimentation law. [United Kingdom’s Information Tribunal Court, United Kingdom] Press Release

    Guido Rasi Begins as New Head of European Medicines Agency
    Guido Rasi has begun his mandate as Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency. [European Medicines Agency, European Union] Press Release

    European Medicines Agency Welcomes New Head of Finance and Budget
    The European Medicines Agency has welcomed Michael Lenihan as the new Head of Sector for Finance and Budget. [European Medicines Agency, European Union] Press Release

    Notice of Expanded Transparency Act Subaward and Executive Compensation Reporting Requirements for FY2012 and Beyond (NOT-OD-12-010) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health; Notice of Meeting (FR Doc No: 2011-29883) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

    EVENTS
    NEW World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2012
    May 21-23, 2012
    London, United Kingdom

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

    JOB OPPORTUNITIES

    Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

    Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

    Lab Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

    Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

    Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)

    Scientist – Differentiation Segment (Stemgent, Inc.)

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