ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.26 | Jul 4 2012

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Patients with Huntington’s Disease Show CAG-Repeat-Expansion-Associated Phenotypes
Researchers reported the generation and characterization of 14 induced pluripotent stem cell lines from Huntington’s disease patients and controls. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Regulates Telomerase in Stem Cells and Cancer Cells
Investigators report a molecular link between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the expression of the telomerase subunit Tert. β-Catenin-deficient mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells have short telomeres; conversely, ES cells expressing an activated form of β-catenin have long telomeres. [Science] Abstract | Press Release

Identification of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons for Engraftment
Researchers demonstrated remarkable fate specificity of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived dopaminergic neurons and outline a sequential stage-specific ESC reporter line paradigm for in vivo gene discovery. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Press Release

Modeling Human Cortical Development In Vitro Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Investigators showed that human induced pluripotent stem cells grown in suspension in the presence of rostral neuralizing factors can generate 3D structures containing polarized radial glia, intermediate progenitors, and a spectrum of layer-specific cortical neurons reminiscent of their organization in vivo. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Maturation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic Progenitors into Functional Islets Capable of Treating Pre-Existing Diabetes in Mice
Scientists developed a protocol to efficiently differentiate commercially available human embryonic stem cells in vitro into a highly enriched PDX1+ pancreatic progenitor cell population that further develops in vivo to mature pancreatic endocrine cells. [Diabetes] Abstract | Press Release

Increasing Doublecortin Expression Promotes Migration of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neurons
Researchers tested whether increasing the expression of DCX in human embryonic stem cell derived neuronal progenitors would favorably alter their proliferation and migration. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Directing Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Towards Anterior Neural Ectoderm Using Small Molecules
The authors demonstrated that pluripotent stem cells can be reproducibly and efficiently differentiated to PAX6⁺ and OCT4⁻ cells with the use of potent small inhibitors of the bone morphogenic protein and Activin/Nodal pathways, and in animal-component free conditions, replacing the frequently used Noggin and SB431542. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Transplantation of Genetically Corrected Human iPSC-Derived Progenitors in Mice with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy
Findings suggest that transplantation of genetically corrected mesoangioblast-like cells generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2D patients may be useful for treating this type of muscular dystrophy and perhaps other forms of muscular dystrophy as well. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

ACT Announces Second Patient with Stargardt’s Disease Treated in EU Clinical Trial
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced treatment of the second patient in its Phase I/II clinical trial for Stargardt’s macular dystrophy using retinal pigment epithelial cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

Massachusetts Stem-Cell Bank to Close
A Massachusetts stem-cell bank will close when it runs out of public funding this year. The University of Massachusetts Stem Cell Bank opened in 2008 with US$8.6 million in public funds in response to federal funding limitations on human embryonic stem-cell lines. [NatureNews] Press Release

UNESCO to Set Up UN Science Advisory Board
The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, has agreed to set up an international scientific advisory board to provide him with guidance on science-related issues, and enable him to provide advice to UN member states on such issues. [UN Environmental, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)] Press Release

A University Professor Becomes Egypt’s President
According to his election promises, Mohammed Morsi plans to gradually increase science research spending to 2.5% of GDP. He will link research institutes to industry and promote the protection of intellectual property as a cornerstone to make research more attractive. [Egyptian President, Egypt] Press Release

Science at Stake in Mexican Election
Mexican scientists have watched with dismay as their country, Latin America’s second-largest economy, has slipped down the research-spending ranks in recent years. Candidates in the presidential election have pledged to change that. [Mexican Government, Mexico] 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.)

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.)

Stem Cell Researcher (BioTalentum Ltd.)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Laboratory (University of California, San Diego)

Postdoctoral Research Position (University Lille 2 France)


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