ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.17 | May 2 2012

The Transcriptional and Epigenomic Foundations of Ground State Pluripotency
Researchers showed that the transcriptome and epigenome profiles of serum-grown embryonic stem (ES) cells and ES cells cultured in defined medium with inhibitors of two kinases (Mek and GSK3) are distinct. [Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Background Mutations in Parental Cells Account for Most of the Genetic Heterogeneity of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
To assess the genetic consequences of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming, researchers sequenced the genomes of ten murine iPSC clones derived from three independent reprogramming experiments, and compared them to their parental cell genomes. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract

Two-Factor Reprogramming of Somatic Cells to Pluripotent Stem Cells Reveals Partial Functional Redundancy of Sox2 and Klf4
Investigators showed that reducing the complexity of mouse embryonic fibroblasts by flow cytometry allows the isolation of discrete cell subpopulations that can be efficiently reprogrammed to pluripotency with fewer genes. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Human Embryonic Stem Cells Fail to Activate CHK1 and Commit to Apoptosis in Response to DNA Replication Stress
The authors showed that human embryonic stem cells and their malignant counterpart, embryonic carcinoma cells, both fail to activate critical S-phase checkpoints when exposed to DNA replication inhibitors and commit to apoptosis instead. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Dual Inhibition of Src and GSK3 Maintains Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, whose Differentiation Is Mechanically Regulated by Src Signaling
Using polyacrylamide gels with varying Young’s moduli as substrates, investigators demonstrated that mouse embryonic stem cells are induced to differentiate on substrates with defined elasticity, involving the Src-ShcA-MAP kinase pathway. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Comparing the Functional Consequences of Human Stem Cell Transplantation in the Irradiated Rat Brain
Findings indicated the capability of human embryonic stem cell transplantation to ameliorate radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction one-month following cranial irradiation, using a hippocampal-dependent novel place recognition task. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Cyclin K-Containing Kinase Complexes Maintain Self-Renewal in Murine Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators discovered that cyclin K protein was highly expressed in pluripotent embryonic stem cells, but not their differentiated derivatives or tissue-specific stem cells. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells May Generate a Universal Source of Cardiac Cells
The authors investigated three key properties of the human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and hAMSC-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (MiPSCs): reprogramming efficiency of the partially pluripotent hAMSCs to generate MiPSCs, immunomodulatory properties of the hAMSCs and MiPSCs, and cardiac differentiation potential of the MiPSCs. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

miR-125b Promotes Early Germ Layer Specification through Lin28/let-7d and Preferential Differentiation of Mesoderm in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers profiled the expression of microRNAs during human embryonic stem cell differentiation into myocardial precursors and cardiomyocytes, and determined clusters of human microRNAs that are specifically regulated during this process. [PLoS One] Full Article

Construction of Vascular Tissues with Macro-Porous Nano-Fibrous Scaffolds and Smooth Muscle Cells Enriched from Differentiated Embryonic Stem Cells
Results demonstrated the potential of vascular smooth muscle cells derived from embryonic stem cells as a promising cell source for therapeutic vascular tissue engineering and disease model applications. [PLoS One] Full Article

Second U-M Stem Cell Line Now Publicly Available to Help Researchers Find Treatments for Nerve Condition
The University of Michigan (U-M)’s second human embryonic stem cell line has just been placed on the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s registry, making the cells available for federally-funded research. [University of Michigan Health System] Press Release

ACT Announces Massachusetts Eye and Ear as Additional Site for Clinical Trial for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived RPE Cells
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced that Massachusetts Eye and Ear has received institutional review board approval to be a site for the company’s Phase I/II clinical trial for dry age-related macular degeneration, using human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

Reinnervate, Roslin Cellab Ally to Develop Protocols for 3-D Growth of hESCs
Reinnervate and Roslin Cellab are joining forces to develop protocols for the 3-D growth of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Roslin Cellab’s expertise in developing and delivering custom tools and protocols in the field of hESC biology will be coupled with Reinnervate’s Alvetex®Scaffold technology. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News] Press Release

Townes Wins HudsonAlpha Prize
Tim Townes, Ph.D. was awarded the HudsonAlpha Prize for his work on sickle-cell disease and related blood disorders. Using mice, Townes and research colleagues have been able to reprogram cells that mimic sickle cell anemia as induced pluripotent stem cells. [University of Alabama in Birmingham] Press Release

South Korea Steps Up Stem-Cell Work
The South Korean health ministry announced that research into stem cells and regenerative medicine will receive a funding boost of 33 billion won (US $29 million) in 2012, four times that given in 2011. [South Korean Health Ministry, South Korea] Press Release

Stem-Cell Arguments Heard in US Appeals Court
A US appeals court heard arguments from lawyers supporting and opposing the US government’s funding for human embryonic stem-cell research, marking another step in what some believe is a slow but steady path to the US Supreme Court. [US Court of Appeals, United States] Press Release

National Bioeconomy Blueprint Released
The Obama Administration announced its commitment to strengthening bioscience research as a major driver of American innovation and economic growth. The National Bioeconomy Blueprint outlines steps that agencies will take to drive the bioeconomy and details ongoing efforts across the Federal government to realize this goal. [Office of Science and Technology Policy, United States] Press Release

Chinese Publishers Vow to Cleanse Journals
The China Association for Science and Technology in Beijing has taken the lead among the country’s publishers in trying to clamp down on academic misconduct. [The China Association for Science and Technology, China] Press Release

Egypt’s Presidential Candidates Pledge to Boost Science
As Egyptians prepare to vote in presidential elections, many candidates have promised new strategies for science, technology and innovation, and pledged to increase government expenditure on research. [Egyptian Government, Egypt] Press Release

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

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (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.)

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Contract Assay Services (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Research (SPIN PhD College)

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

Stem Cell Researcher (BioTalentum Ltd.)

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