ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.16 | Apr 25 2012

Thrombin Receptor Regulates Hematopoiesis and Endothelial-to-Hematopoietic Transition
The authors showed that thrombin receptor (F2r) functions as a negative regulator during hematopoietic development. F2r is significantly upregulated during hematopoietic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and zebrafish hematopoietic development. [Dev Cell] Abstract

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Hepatocytes Support Complete Replication of Hepatitis C Virus
Researchers demonstrated that human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocytes can be infected with the hepatitis C virus JFH1 genotype 2a, resulting in the production of viral RNA in the stem cell progeny. [J Hepatol] Abstract

Characterization and Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells on Cadherin-Based Substrata
Scientists evaluated the effects of recombinant extracellular matrix components on the mouse embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells’ self-renewal and differentiation into neural progenitors, comparing conventional culture substrata. [Biomaterials] Abstract

A Putative Role for the Immunoproteasome in the Maintenance of Pluripotency in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators showed enhanced expression of genes encoding subunits of the 20s proteasome in human embryonic stem cells coupled to their downregulation as the cells progress into differentiation. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Generation of Kidney from Pluripotent Stem Cells via Blastocyst Complementation
Researchers used blastocyst complementation to generate pluripotent stem cell-derived donor organs in vivo. [Am J Pathol] Abstract

Differentiation and Transplantation of Functional Pancreatic Beta Cells Generated from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from a Type 1 Diabetes Mouse Model
Researchers demonstrated a proof of concept for cellular therapy using non-obese diabetic mouse-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Retinal Pigmented Epithelium in Defined Conditions Using Purified Extracellular Matrix Proteins
The authors selected several purified extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and substrates, based on the in vivo retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) ECM environment, and tested their ability to support induced pluripotent stem cell-RPE differentiation and maintenance. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Model for Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Researchers generated cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients in a dilated cardiomyopathy family carrying a point mutation in the gene encoding sarcomeric protein cardiac troponin T. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Junctophilin 2 Knockdown Interferes with Mitochondrium Status in ESC-CMs and Cardiogenesis of ES Cells
Researchers explored the possible links between Junctophilin 2 (Jp2) and the mitochondrium-sarcoplasmic reticulum interaction in embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (ESC-CMs), as well as the role of Jp2 in cardiogenesis of ES cells. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Evaluating Biotoxicity with Fibroblasts Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists investigated the use of differentiated fibroblasts from human embryonic stem cells as a cellular model for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity screening. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

ACT Announces Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) Approval to Increase RPE Dosage for Stargardt’s Disease Patients in U.S. Trial
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced that the DSMB have recently authorized the Company to move forward with enrollment and treatment of additional patients with Stargardt’s disease. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

ACT Announces Third Dry AMD Patient Treated in Clinical Trial
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced the dosing of the third patient in its Phase I/II trial for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) using retinal pigment epithelial cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. The outpatient transplantation surgery was performed successfully, and the patient is recovering uneventfully. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

New SSEA-5 Antibody Launched for Stem Cell Research
GeneTex is set to launch a new monoclonal antibody against stage-specific embryonic antigen 5 (SSEA-5), a marker for human pluripotent stem cells that may also improve the safety of stem cell-based treatments. [GeneTex Inc.] Press Release

Syrian Uprising Takes Toll on Scientific Community
The civil unrest that erupted in Syria in March last year has left the country’s scientific community in turmoil, researchers say. Heavy cuts have been made to research budgets, and work at the majority of Syria’s universities and research centers has ground to a halt. [Syrian Government, Syria] Press Release

House Panel Tops Senate Mark for NSF
A House of Representatives spending panel wants to nearly match the president’s budget request for the National Science Foundation (NSF). [House of Representatives, United States] Press Release

NSF Budget Year Starts Out Well
The National Science Foundation (NSF) would receive a 3.3% budget increase next year under a bill taken up by a Senate spending panel. Although the $240 million increase falls $100 million short of the president’s request for the $7 billion agency, it still represents a remarkable show of support for the basic research agency, given that the panel had $1 billion less to work with this year. [National Science Foundation, United States] Press Release

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

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Research (SPIN PhD College)

Lecturer and Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell, Telomere Biology, and Bioinformatics (Sun Yat-Sen University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Induced Neurogenesis (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

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