ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.05 | Feb 8 2012

Enhancer Decommissioning by LSD1 during Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Here investigators show that the histone demethylase lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), which demethylates histone H3 on Lys4 or Lys9, is essential in decommissioning enhancers during the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. [Nature] Abstract

BMP4 Signaling Acts via Dual-Specificity Phosphatase 9 to Control ERK Activity in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers’ findings identify dual-specificity phosphatase 9 as a critical mediator of BMP signaling to control appropriate ERK activity critical for embryonic stem cell fate determination. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract

Polycomb Associates Genome-Wide with a Specific RNA Polymerase II Variant, and Regulates Metabolic Genes in ESCs
Investigators mapped polycomb repressor complex (PRC) repression markers and four RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) states in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) using ChIP-seq, and found that PRC targets exhibit a range of RNAPII variants. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract

Human Cerebral Cortex Development from Pluripotent Stem Cells to Functional Excitatory Synapses
Researchers have developed a robust, multistep process for human cortical development from pluripotent stem cells: directed differentiation of human embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells to cortical stem and progenitor cells, followed by an extended period of cortical neurogenesis, neuronal terminal differentiation to acquire mature electrophysiological properties, and functional excitatory synaptic network formation. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Genetic Correction of β-Thalassemia Patient-Specific iPS Cells and Its Use in Improving Hemoglobin Production in Irradiated SCID Mice
In the present study, researchers successfully generated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from fibroblasts collected from a two-year-old patient who was diagnosed with a homozygous 41/42 deletion in his β-globin gene. [Cell Res] Abstract

Context-Dependent Enhancement of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Reprogramming by Silencing Puma
Researchers examined the requirement for downstream p53 activities in suppressing efficiency of reprogramming as well as preventing persistence of DNA damage into the early induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Derivation and Functional Analysis of Patient Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as an In Vitro Model of Chronic Granulomatous Disease
In this study, scientists reprogrammed three normal unrelated patient’s fibroblasts to pluripotency by lentiviral transduction with defined pluripotency factors. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Under-Sulfation of Heparan Sulfate Restricts the Differentiation Potential of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
The differentiation potential of mouse embryonic stem cells lacking both NDST1 (glucosaminyl N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase 1) and NDST2 was studied using in vitro differentiation protocols, expression of differentiation markers and assessment of the ability of the cells to respond to growth factors. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Novel Developmental Biology-Based Protocol of Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation to Morphologically Sound and Functional yet Immature Hepatocytes
Here, researchers aimed to achieve human embryonic stem cell differentiation into mature hepatocytes using defined recombinant differentiation factors and metabolites. [Liver Int] Abstract

Parkin Controls Dopamine Utilization in Human Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Here investigators generate induced pluripotent stem cells from normal subjects and Parkinson’s disease patients with parkin mutations. [Nat Commun] Abstract | Press Release

$30 Million Gift to Fast Forward Health Care Research, Education and Care at McMaster University
A Hamilton family is giving McMaster University $30 million to accelerate the university’s innovations in health research, education and care. Of the total, $24 million is designated to establish The Boris Family Centre in Human Stem Cell Therapies. [McMaster University] Press Release

Pluristem to Expand Research & Development of Radiation Exposure Treatment
Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. announced that following preliminary discussions with several governmental authorities, it will expand its research and development efforts on an acute radiation exposure treatment. [Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Minnesota Starts to Destroy Stored Blood Spots
Court ruling that the state must get consent to store samples from newborn screening could hinder biomedical research. [Minnesota Supreme Court, United States] Press Release

Stem-Cell Agency Faces Budget Dilemma
With half of the US$3 billion that it received from the state now spent and the rest expected to run out by 2021, CIRM is now actively planning for a future that may not include any further state support. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), United States] Press Release

Japan Plans to Merge Major Science Bodies
Plans approved by the government’s cabinet would consolidate the RIKEN network of basic-research laboratories with the National Institute for Materials Science, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention and the Japan Science and Technology Agency – the national funding body. [Japanese Government, Japan] Press Release

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

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research Technologist, Manufacturing Sciences (STEMCELL Technologies)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)

Postdoctoral/Research Associate (Children’s Memorial Research Center)

Scientist – Differentiation Segment (Stemgent, Inc.)

PhD Student Position: Stem Cells, Neurogenesis, Human IPS Cells, Cell Biology (Institute for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Ulm University)

Postdoctoral Fellow Position: Stem Cells (University of California, Davis)

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