ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.19 | May 16 2012

Erosion of Dosage Compensation Impacts Human iPSC Disease Modeling
Scientists showed that although low-passage female human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) retain the inactive X chromosome of the somatic cell they are derived from, over time in culture they undergo an erosion of X chromosome inactivation. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract

Histone H1 Depletion Impairs Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Investigators demonstrated that H1 plays a critical role in pluripotent stem cell differentiation, and their results suggest that H1 and chromatin compaction may mediate pluripotent stem cell differentiation through epigenetic repression of the pluripotency genes. [PLoS Genet] Full Article | Press Release

Simultaneous Voltage and Calcium Mapping of Genetically Purified Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Myocyte Monolayers
Researchers aimed to develop an imaging platform with versatility for multiparameter electrophysiological mapping of cardiac preparations. Their second aim was to create large electrically coupled human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte monolayers for simultaneous action potential and calcium wave propagation measurements. [Circ Res] Abstract

Measuring Energy Metabolism in Cultured Cells, Including Human Pluripotent Stem Cells and Differentiated Cells
The authors provided protocols for analyzing energy metabolism in human pluripotent stem cells and their early differentiated progenies that are generally applicable to mature cell types as well. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Material-Driven Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Neuron Growth Factor-Grafted Poly(ε-Caprolactone)-Poly(ß-Hydroxybutyrate) Scaffolds
Researchers showed a guided differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells toward neurons in neuron growth factor-grafted poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ß-hydroxybutyrate) scaffolds. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Promotion of the Induction of Cell Pluripotency through Metabolic Remodeling by Thyroid Hormone Triiodothyronine-Activated PI3K/AKT Signal Pathway
To facilitate pluripotent reprogramming, researchers have identified the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine as an endogenous factor that can enhance reprogramming of human dermal fibroblasts and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract

The Differential Formation of the Linkers of Nucleus and Cytoskeleton-Mediated Perinuclear Actin Cap in Pluripotent and Somatic Cells
Investigators showed that while conventional actin stress fibers at the basal surface of cells are present before and after onset of differentiation of mouse (mESCs) and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), actin stress fibers of the actin cap, which wrap around the nucleus, are completely absent from undifferentiated mESCs and hESCs and their formation strongly correlates with differentiation. [PLoS One] Full Article

Efficient Derivation of Bovine Embryonic Stem Cells Needs More than Active Core Pluripotency Factors
Researchers showed that the core transcription factors Oct4/Sox2/Nanog can be used as markers of pluripotency in the bovine since their expression was restricted to the developing epiblast after day eight, and disappeared following differentiation of both the embryonic stem cell-like and epiblast stem cell-like cultures. [Mol Reprod Dev] Abstract

Activin Induces Cortical Interneuron Identity and Differentiation in Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Telencephalic Neural Precursors
The authors uncovered a pivotal role for Activin in regulating the differentiation and identity of telencephalic neural precursors derived from mouse and human embryonic stem cells. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Bioengineered Myocardium Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Improves Cardiac Function and Attenuates Cardiac Remodeling following Chronic Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Researchers developed cardiac tissue sheets, termed bioengineered myocardium (BM), from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells and measured cardiac performance following BM implantation in a rat chronic myocardial infarction model. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Kyoto University Granted Its Third iPSC Patent in the U.S.
Kyoto University was granted its third patent associated with the method to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University] Press Release

Academic Health Center Biorepository Established to Advance Cancer and Other Medical Research in Northwest Ohio
ProMedica and The University of Toledo announced the opening of the Academic Health Center BioRepository to help researchers find new and improved treatments for cancer and other medical conditions. Human blood and tissue samples will be donated by area patients to the BioRepository for future scientific research. [ProMedica] Press Release

Regenerative Sciences Receives $2 Million Investment for Orthopedic Stem Cell Initiatives
Regenerative Sciences, Inc. announced that it has secured a $2 million investment from philanthropist, visionary and businessman John C. Malone, PhD, chairman of Liberty Media Corporation. In addition to advancing Regenerative Sciences’ clinical and lab-based stem cell research, the investment will help support the national expansion of their Regenexx™ Physician Network. [PR Newswire] Press Release

European Parliament Rebukes Three Regulatory Agencies
The European Parliament postponed signing off on the 2010 expenditures of three science-related E.U. agencies amid concerns over conflicts of interest and inappropriate spending. The vote to postpone the so-called discharge – which affects the European Food Safety Authority, the European Medicines Agency, and the European Environment Agency – has no immediate consequences, but it is seen as a warning that the agencies need to restore their credibility. [European Parliament, European Union] Press Release

Algeria to Tackle HIV/AIDS
Algeria will partner with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to build the first HIV/AIDS research center in the Middle East and North Africa. [Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, United Nations] Press Release

A Global Standard for Peer Review
After winning the strong backing of the White House, Subra Suresh convened a meeting of 47 leaders of research funding agencies from 44 countries. At the conclusion of closed-door sessions, the group will issue the first-ever global statement on the principles of merit review. [National Science Foundation, United States] 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.)

Research Scientist (Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology)

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