ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.27 | Jul 11 2012

The Polycomb Group Protein L3mbtl2 Assembles an Atypical Polycomb Repressive Complex1-Family Complex that Is Essential in Pluripotent Stem Cells and Early Development
Scientists showed that disruption of L3mbtl2 results in embryonic lethality with failure of gastrulation. This correlates with compromised proliferation and abnormal differentiation of L3mbtl2^-/- embryonic stem cells. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract

Pharmacological Rescue of Mitochondrial Deficits in iPSC-Derived Neural Cells from Patients with Familial Parkinson’s Disease
Researchers analyzed neural cells generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from Parkinson’s disease patients and presymptomatic individuals carrying mutations in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 genes, and compared them to those of healthy control subjects. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

ZO-1 Regulates Erk, Smad1/5/8, Smad2 and RhoA Activities to Modulate Self-Renewal and Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
To explore possible roles for ZO-1 in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), investigators inactivated the ZO-1 locus by homologous recombination. The data suggests that ZO-1 suppresses Stat3 and Smad1/5/8 activities and sustains Erk activity to promote mESC differentiation. [Stem Cells] Abstract

The Combined Expression of Pdx1 and MafA with Either Ngn3 or NeuroD Improve the Differentiation Efficiency of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Insulin-Producing Cells
Researchers demonstrated that the co-expression of Pdx1 and MafA during a specific time window of development can act synergistically with either Ngn3 or NeuroD to promote the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into insulin-secreting cells. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Improved Cell Survival and Paracrine Capacity of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Therapeutic Potential for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Scientists compared the therapeutic efficacy of human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with adult bone marrow MSCs for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in an animal model. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Steroid-Producing Cells
Researchers aimed to establish a method for inducing differentiation of human embryonic stem/induced pluripotent stem cells into steroid-producing cells. [Endocrinology] Abstract

Ell3 Enhances Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells by Regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Apoptosis
Results suggested that Ell3 promotes the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells by activating the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes and by suppressing p53 expression. [PLoS One] Full Article

Simvastatin Modulates Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Chondrogenesis In Vitro
It has been studied in detail that cellular differentiation during chondrogenesis can be recapitulated in vitro by differentiation of embryonic stem cells as embryoid bodies. Researchers used this model system of cartilage development to analyze the effect of simvastatin, a potentially embryotoxic substance. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

ACT Secures Approval to Proceed with Increased Retinal Pigment Epithelial Dosage for Patients in Clinical Trial for Dry AMD
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced that the Data and Safety Monitoring Board has authorized the company to move forward with enrollment and treatment of additional patients in its clinical trial for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

TMC Institutions Get $20 Million Renewal Grant for Translational Medicine Center
In 2006, three Texas Medical Center (TMC) institutions were among the first in the nation to receive a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health to accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into patient treatments. That grant has been renewed for another five years. [The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston] Press Release

Death of Evidence Announcement
To make the public aware of government cuts to federal science programs, Canadians organized a ‘Death of Evidence’ rally to coincide with a large scientific conference taking place in Ottawa. [Death of Evidence, Canada] Press Release

Britain Names Next Chief Science Adviser
Mark Walport will become the next government chief scientific adviser. Walport will be the first biomedical scientist in 30 years to occupy the role, providing advice directly to Prime Minister David Cameron and the Cabinet. [Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Britain] Press Release

Medievalist to Head €2.4 Billion German Funding Agency
Germany’s main research funding body has chosen historian Peter Strohschneider as its president for the next three years. The 56-year-old professor of medieval studies will replace engineer Matthias Kleiner as head of the German Research Foundation, which has a €2.4 billion annual budget. [German Research Foundation, Germany] Press Release

Europe Inches Closer to a Unified Patent System
After more than 30 years of negotiations, the European Union has finally settled on a site for its first pan-European patent court. The deal clears one of the final political hurdles on the way to a one-stop shop for patents to be granted in a single place and be valid across 25 countries. [Unified Patent Court, European Union] Press Release

NEW StemCore & CRA iPS Cell Training Workshop
August 27-31, 2012
Brisbane, Australia

NEW Cell Culture World Congress USA
November 12-13, 2012
Washington, United States

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 Research Position (University Lille 2 France)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells (Children’s Hospital of Chicago Research Center)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Stem Cell and Hematopoiesis (Paterson Institute)


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