ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.09 | Mar 7 2012

Ascorbic Acid Prevents Loss of Dlk1–Dio3 Imprinting and Facilitates Generation of All-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Mice from Terminally Differentiated B Cells
Here, researchers show that reprogramming in the presence of ascorbic acid attenuates hypermethylation of Dlk1–Dio3 by enabling a chromatin configuration that interferes with binding of the de novo DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a. [Nat Genet] Abstract

Chromatin-Modifying Enzymes as Modulators of Reprogramming
To address how chromatin-modifying proteins influence reprogramming, researchers used short hairpin RNAs to target genes in DNA and histone methylation pathways, and identified positive and negative modulators of induced pluripotent stem cell generation. [Nature] Abstract

Genetic Regulators of a Pluripotent Adult Stem Cell System in Planarians Identified by RNAi and Clonal Analysis
Researchers utilized transcriptional profiling to identify planarian genes expressed in adult proliferating, regenerative cells. Researchers also developed quantitative clonal analysis methods for expansion and differentiation of adult pluripotent stem cell descendants that, together with RNAi, revealed gene roles in stem cell biology. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Low Incidence of DNA Sequence Variation in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Generated by Nonintegrating Plasmid Expression
Here investigators report the whole-genome sequencing of three human induced pluripotent stem cell lines derived from two cell types of an adult donor by episomal vectors. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract

Distinct Regulatory Mechanisms and Functions for p53-Activated and p53-Repressed DNA Damage Response Genes in Embryonic Stem Cells
p53 is critical in regulating the differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem cells. Here, investigators report a whole-genome study of p53-mediated DNA damage signaling in mouse ES cells. [Mol Cell] Abstract

AMD1 Is Essential for ESC Self-Renewal and Is Translationally Down-Regulated on Differentiation to Neural Precursor Cells
Scientists describe a new role for Amd1 (adenosyl methionine decarboxylase), a key enzyme in the polyamine synthesis pathway, in regulating both embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and differentiation to the neural lineage. [Genes Dev] Abstract | Press Release

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Promotes Differentiation, Not Self-Renewal, of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Is Repressed by Oct4
Researchers demonstrate that OCT4 represses β-catenin signaling during self-renewal and that targeted knockdown of OCT4 activates β-catenin signaling in human embryonic stem cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Contribution of Hepatic Lineage Stage-Specific Donor Memory to the Differential Potential of Induced Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC)
Here investigators addressed a contribution of a lineage stage-specific donor cell memory in modulating the functional properties of iPSCs. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using 16O/18O Labeling
Here researchers report the development and application of an integrated quantitative proteomics platform for investigating differences in protein expressions between mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) and MEF-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. [J Proteome Res] Abstract

Feeder-Free and Serum-Free Production of Hepatocytes, Cholangiocytes, and Their Proliferating Progenitors from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Application to Liver-Specific Functional and Cytotoxic Assays
Researchers have established a serum- and feeder-free culture system for the efficient differentiation of multifunctional hepatocytes from human embryonic stem cells and three entirely different induced pluripotent stem cells without cell sorting and gene manipulation. [Cell Reprogam] Abstract

Pediatric Research Institute Launched by Children’s Medical Center, UT Southwestern
Children’s Medical Center is partnering with UT Southwestern Medical Center to establish a unique $150 million venture that will bring together the finest scientists to pursue research with the potential to change scientific fields, as well as the way disease is treated in children and adults. The institute is focusing on research at the interface of stem cell biology, cancer, and metabolism that has the potential to reveal new strategies for treating disease. [The University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center] Press Release

QF Awards Top Stem Cell Researchers at International Conference
Research on preventing breast cancer recurrence, using organ regeneration to combat obesity-related diseases, and enabling vascular repair for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease received awards at the Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy 2012. [Qatar Foundation (QF)]
Press Release

Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) Files Additional Legal Arguments in Sherley v. Sebelius Stem Cell Case
This week the GPI joined the Coalition for Advancement of Medical Research in filing an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, supporting federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. [Genetics Policy Institute] Press Release

Another Bumper Year for Chinese Science
Central government spending on science and technology is slated to rise 12.4%, to 228.54 billion yuan ($36.23 billion). Scientists will also benefit from a 24% jump in funding for Project 985 and Project 211, which funnel money to elite universities. [National People’s Congress, China] Press Release

Lawmakers Drop Proposal to Block NIH Public Access Policy
In a victory for open access advocates, two U.S. lawmakers yesterday dropped a bill that would have banned the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from requiring that its researchers submit their peer-reviewed manuscripts to a public archive. [National Institutes of Health, United States] Press Release

Stem-Cell Therapy Takes Off in Texas
With Texas pouring millions of dollars into developing adult stem-cell treatments, doctors there are already injecting paying customers with unproven preparations, supplied by an ambitious new company. [NatureNews] Press Release

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

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)

Research Technologist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

Scientist – Differentiation Segment (Stemgent, Inc.)

Embryonic Stem Cell Biology Technician (Kymab Ltd.)

Postdoctoral Position – Department of Biomedical Engineering (Tsinghua University School of Medicine)

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