ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.22 | Jun 6 2012

Dual Actions of Meis1 Inhibit Erythroid Progenitor Development and Sustain General Hematopoietic Cell Proliferation
Investigators found that endogenous Mesp1 indirectly induces Meis1 and Meis2 in endothelial cells derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells. Overexpression of Meis1 and Meis2 greatly enhanced the formation of hematopoietic colonies from ES cells, with the exception of erythroid colonies, by maintaining hematopoietic progenitor cells in a state of proliferation. [Blood] Abstract

Generation of Metabolically Functioning Hepatocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells by FOXA2 and HNF1α Transduction
Researchers found that the combination of two transcription factors, FOXA2 and HNF1α, promoted efficient hepatic differentiation from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. [J Hepatol] Abstract

Signaling Defects in iPSC-Derived Fragile X Premutation Neurons
To investigate the underlying cellular neuropathology, researchers produced iPSC-derived neurons from isogenic subclones of primary fibroblasts of a female premutation carrier; with each subclone bearing exclusively either the normal or the expanded (premutation) form of the fragile X gene as the active allele. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract

Evidence for Premature Aging due to Oxidative Stress in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Cockayne Syndrome
Findings suggest that Cockayne syndrome group B gene modulates cell viability in pluripotent stem cells, regulating the expression of p53 and TXNIP and reactive oxygen species production. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Induced Cells Show Better Constitutive Heterochromatin Remodeling and Developmental Potential after Nuclear Transfer than Their Parental Cells
Findings suggest that constitutive heterochromatin organization from differentiated somatic cells can be reprogrammed to the pluripotent state by induction of induced pluripotent stem cells, which in turn support nuclear transfer procedure quite efficiently. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

ILK Induces Cardiomyogenesis in the Human Heart
Endogenous integrin-linked kinase (ILK) expression was shown to increase in concert with those of cardiomyogenic markers during directed cardiomyogenic differentiation in human embryonic stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Shear Stress Influences the Pluripotency of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells in Stirred Suspension Bioreactors
Results provide a better understanding of the environmental conditions within suspension bioreactors and how these conditions affect the pluripotency of murine embryonic stem cells. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

ATAD3B Is an Human Embryonic Stem Cell Specific Mitochondrial Protein, Re-Expressed in Cancer Cells, that Functions as Dominant Negative for the Ubiquitous ATAD3A
Researchers concluded that ATAD3B is a negative regulator of ATAD3A and may function as an adaptor of mitochondrial homeostasis and metabolism in human pluripotent embryonic stem cells and cancer cells. [Mitochondrion] Abstract

Actium Research and McMaster University Collaborate to Commercialize Stem Cell Technologies
Actium Research Inc. and McMaster University have entered into a landmark collaboration covering McMaster’s proprietary adult human stem cell lines, cancer stem cells and the directed differentiation platform developed by Dr. Mick Bhatia and his team at the McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute. [McMaster University] Press Release

29 Johns Hopkins Stem Cell Researchers Awarded Funding from the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund awarded 29 of 40 grants to Johns Hopkins researchers for the study of stem cell metabolism and regulation, the creation of new cell models for human diseases such as schizophrenia and Rett syndrome and the development of new potential therapies. [The Johns Hopkins University] Press Release

CHOC Children’s Research Project Awarded $5.5 Million Grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
A Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Children’s research project has been awarded a $5.5 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The grant will be used to develop a stem cell-based therapy for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis as well as defects in other major organ systems. [Children’s Hospital of Orange County] Press Release

California Stem-Cell Agency Shifts Toward Clinical Work
The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine voted to accept a new strategic plan which shrinks or eliminates support for basic research, facilities and training, while funneling more of its funds toward clinical development. [California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, United States] Press Release

Europe Science Ministers Approve 2014-20 Funding Framework
After long and hard negotiations, European Union (EU) science ministers have given their backing to a general structure for Horizon 2020, the bloc’s 2014-20 research-funding program. [EU Council of Ministers, European Union] Press Release

Scientists: Your Number Is Up
Just as barcodes at the supermarket allow the till to distinguish a tomato from a turnip, Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) aims to reliably attribute research outputs to their true author by assigning every scientist on the planet a machine-readable, 16-digit unique digital identifier. [ORCID Committee]
Press Release

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

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 – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

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

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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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