ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.11 | Mar 21 2012

Arrayed Cellular Microenvironments for Identifying Culture and Differentiation Conditions for Stem, Primary and Rare Cell Populations
Investigators describe a technology, referred to as arrayed cellular microenvironments, that allows for a high-throughput examination of the effects of multiple extracellular components in a combinatorial manner on any cell type of interest. They specifically focus on the application of this technology to human pluripotent stem cells. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from a Small Amount of Human Peripheral Blood Using a Combination of Activated T Cells and Sendai Virus
Scientists present a detailed protocol for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a small amount of human peripheral blood using a combination of activated T cells and mutant Sendai virus encoding human OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC; T cell–derived iPSCs can be generated within 1 month of blood sampling. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Unveiling Combinatorial Regulation through the Combination of ChIP Information and In Silico Cis-Regulatory Module Detection
Researchers show that exploiting ChIP-information in a query-based way makes in silico cis-regulatory module (CRM) detection a much more feasible endeavor. By applying it on a well-studied ChIP-Seq data set involved in self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells, they demonstrate how their tool can recover combinatorial regulation of five known transcription factors that are key in the self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells. [Nucleic Acids Res] Abstract

A ZFN/Piggyback Step Closer to Autologous Liver Cell Therapy
Investigators show that a combination of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and piggyback technology in human induced pluripotent stem cells can achieve bi-allelic correction of a point mutation (Glu342Lys) in the α₁-antitrypsin gene that is responsible for α₁-antitrypsin deficiency. [Hepatology] Abstract

The Endogenous Retrovirus ENS-1 Provides Active Binding Sites for Transcription Factors in Embryonic Stem Cells that Specify Extra Embryonic Tissue
Scientists show that Ens-1 long terminal repeat activity is controlled by two transcriptional pathways that drive pluripotent cells to alternative developmental fates. [Retrovirology] Abstract

Gene Expression Signatures Defining Fundamental Biological Processes in Pluripotent, Early and the Late Differentiated Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators have made an attempt to understand differentiation networks controlling embryogenesis in vivo using a time kinetic, and by identifying molecules defining fundamental biological processes in the pluripotent state as well as in early and the late differentiation stages of embryonic stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Tracing the Conversion Process for Primordial Germ Cells to Pluripotent Stem Cells in Mice
To understand mechanisms underlying acquisition of pluripotency, it is critical to identify cells that can be converted to pluripotent stem cells. For this purpose, scientists focused on unipotent primordial germ cells, which can be reprogrammed into pluripotent embryonic germ cells under defined conditions. [Biol Reprod] Abstract

Hughes to Add Up To 30 Investigators
For the first time in 5 years, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is holding a general competition for a new round of up to 30 HHMI investigators. [ScienceInsider] Press Release

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