ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.30 | Aug 1 2012

Tracing Synaptic Connectivity onto Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neurons
Researchers report the generation of a novel mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell line that harbors the genetic elements to allow Rabies virus-mediated transsynaptic circuit tracing in ES cell-derived neurons and their synaptic networks. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Characterization of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes: Bioenergetics and Utilization in Safety Screening
Functional analyses demonstrated that induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes are capable of utilizing anaerobic or aerobic respiration depending upon the available carbon substrate, are bioenergetically closest to adult heart tissue cells when cultured in galactose or galactose supplemented with fatty acids, and show a dose dependent toxicity profile to a variety of kinase inhibitors with known clinical cardiac liabilities. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract

Mechanism of Folate Deficiency-Induced Apoptosis in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells: Cell Cycle Arrest/Apoptosis in G1/G0 Mediated by MicroRNA-302a and Tumor Suppressor Gene Lats2
The authors investigated whether and how folate deprivation alters the properties of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) in culture. For this purpose, mESCs were cultured in folate-deficient or complete culture medium. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Lengthened G1 Phase Indicates Differentiation Status in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists report the first use of real-time cell cycle reporters in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). They co-expressed the chromatin-decorating H2B-GFP fusion protein and the FUCCI-G1 fusion protein, a G1 phase-specific reporter, in hESCs to measure cell cycle status in live cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Microcarrier Suspension Cultures for High Density Expansion and Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Neural Progenitor Cells
To generate large numbers of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs), researchers introduced a microcarrier system for the expansion of a hiPSC line and its subsequent differentiation to NPC, using iPS (IMR90) as a model cell line. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods] Abstract

Normalized Median Fluorescence: An Alternative Flow Cytometry Analysis Method for Tracking Human Embryonic Stem Cell States during Differentiation
Investigators demonstrated that the normalized median fluorescence intensity is a more sensitive measure of pluripotent and differentiation marker expression changes during human embryonic stem cell differentiation into three germ layer lineages. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods] Abstract

Anti-Aging Effects of Vitamin C on Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
Results suggest that human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes can be used as a unique human cardiomyocyte aging model in vitro and that vitamin C shows anti-aging effects in this model. [Age] Abstract

Creation of Human Cardiac Cell Sheets Using Pluripotent Stem Cells
Investigators developed a bioreactor to expand and induce cardiac differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). After cardiac differentiation, cardiomyocytes were cultured on temperature-responsive culture dishes and showed spontaneous and synchronous beating, even after cell sheets were detached from culture dishes. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Comparison of Gene-Trapping Efficiency Between Retroviral and Lentiviral Vectors in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers constructed both lentiviral and retroviral gene-trap vectors and analyzed integration sites in mouse embryonic stem cells. The trapping efficiency of unique genes was significantly higher for the lentiviral vector than for the retroviral vector. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

β₁-Adrenoceptor Stimulation Enhances the Differentiation of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Neural Progenitor Cells
Scientists examined the involvement of β-adrenoceptor signaling on the differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells into neural progenitor cells. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract

ACT Issued Broad Patent for Human RPE Cells Derived from All Types of Pluripotent Stem Cells
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced that it has been issued a patent in Australia, patent number 2005325753, “Improved modalities for the treatment of degenerative diseases of the retina.” The patent broadly covers the use of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells generated from pluripotent stem cells in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations of RPE cells, and the use of those preparations to treat patients with degenerative diseases of the retina. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

ACT Treats 10th Patient in Embryonic Stem Cell Trials for Macular Degeneration
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced treatment of the final patient in the first patient cohort 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

Stanford Researchers Receive $40 Million to Study Potential Stem Cell Therapies for Heart Failure and Immune Disorder
The grant awarded to Robert Robbins, MD and his collaborators will support the derivation of heart muscle cells called cardiomyocytes from a federally approved human embryonic stem cell line. The researchers will investigate whether the newly formed cardiomyocytes can heal poorly functioning or damaged hearts. [Stanford School of Medicine] Press Release

Stem Cell Agency Commits $150 Million to Develop New Therapies
California’s stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine approved $150 million in new funding to help move promising stem cell-based therapies from the laboratory research phase to clinical trials in people. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

U.S. Federal Court Says Stem Cell Treatments Are Drugs
A U.S. federal court has found that a stem cell therapy offered by a Colorado clinic meets the definition of a regulated drug. The ruling could spur a U.S. Food and Drug Administration crackdown on other clinics offering untested adult stem cell treatments in the United States. [U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, United States] Press Release

US Drug Agency Spied on Scientists
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is on the defensive, after the exposure of a clandestine computer-surveillance operation that tracked every keystroke made by five dissident FDA scientists whom it suspected of leaking confidential internal data to the press. [US Food and Drug Administration, United States] 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.)

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

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (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 Fellow – Stem Cell Mechanobiology (National Institute for Materials Science)


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