ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.33 | Aug 22 2012

ROCK Suppression Promotes Differentiation and Expansion of Endothelial Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells-Derived Flk1+ Mesodermal Precursor Cells
Supplementation of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y27632 along with vascular endothelial growth factor-A in 2D Matrigel culture system provides a simple, efficient, and versatile method for obtaining ample amount of embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial cells at high purity suitable for use in therapeutic neovascularization. [Blood] Abstract

Histone H3K27me3 Demethylases KDM6A and KDM6B Modulate Definitive Endoderm Differentiation from Human ESCs by Regulating WNT Signaling Pathway
Scientists show that the H3K27me3 demethylases KDM6A and KDM6B play an important role in endoderm differentiation from human ESCs. [Cell Res] Abstract

Neurotrophic Effects of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor on Neural Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers demonstrated that leukemia inhibitory factor significantly enhanced in vitro survival, and promoted differentiation of human embryonic stem cell derived neural progenitor cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Bone Scaffold Architecture Modulates the Development of Mineralized Bone Matrix by Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators examined differences in bone matrix that exist even among identical harvesting sites, and the effects of the matrix architecture and mineral content on bone formation by human embryonic stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Substrate Topography and Size Determines the Fate of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Neuronal or Glial Lineage
Scientists investigated whether the substrate topography, with optimal geometry and dimension, can modulate the neural fate of human embryonic stem cells and enhance the efficiency of differentiation. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Inhibition of Cardiomyocytes Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells by CD38/cADPR/Ca2+ Signaling Pathway
The authors explored the role of CD38-cyclic adenosine diphosphoribose (cADPR)-Ca2+ in the cardiomyogenesis of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. They found that the mouse ES cells are responsive to cADPR and possess the key components of the cADPR-signaling pathway. [J Biol Chem]
Abstract | Full Article

Growth Factor-Activated Stem Cell Circuits and Stromal Signals Cooperatively Accelerate Non-Integrated iPSC Reprogramming of Human Myeloid Progenitors
Investigators report highly optimized four-factor reprogramming of lineage-committed cord blood myeloid progenitors with bulk efficiencies of ~50% in purified episome-expressing cells. The efficient conversion of mature myeloid populations into NANOG⁺TRA-1-81⁺ human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was mediated by synergies between hematopoietic growth factor, stromal activation signals, and episomal Yamanaka factor expression. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

Differential Responses to Retinoic Acid and Endocrine Disruptor Compounds of Subpopulations within Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines
Using flow cytometry researchers identified two distinct subpopulations by size, large and small, within cultures of human embryonic stem cell lines. These two cell populations respond differentially to retinoic acid differentiation and several endocrine disruptor compounds. [Differentiation] Abstract

Current Status of Drug Screening and Disease Modeling in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
The emphasis in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technologies has shifted from cell therapy to in vitro disease modeling and drug screening. Scientists examined why this shift has occurred, and how current technological limitations might be overcome to fully realize the potential of hPSCs. [Bioessays] Abstract

MicroRNAs in ES Cell Differentiation
Researchers provide an overview of the current state of the art of microRNA expression and regulation in embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation. Current insights on controlling stem cell fate towards mesodermal, endodermal and ectodermal differentiation and cell reprogramming are also highlighted. [Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol] Abstract

ACT Announces Scotland’s NHS Lothian as Additional Site for EU Clinical Trial Using hESC-Derived RPE Cells for Macular Degeneration
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced that Scotland’s NHS Lothian has been confirmed as a site for its Phase I/II human clinical trial for Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

Successful Growth of BioDiem’s Virus in VIVALIS EB66^® Cell Line
BioDiem Ltd announced successful results from two programs of work carried out by French partner VIVALIS, confirming the ability of BioDiem’s Live Attenuated Influenza Virus to grow in VIVALIS’ proprietary EB66^® cell line. VIVALIS offers research and commercial licenses for its EB66^® cell line, derived from duck embryonic stem cells, to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for the production of therapeutic and prophylactic viral vaccines, virosomes, VLP’s, and recombinant proteins. [VIVALIS] Press Release

Italy’s Science Minister Is Betting on Europe
The Italian government angered many scientists by announcing a series of deep cuts in the budgets of state institutes as part of a broader austerity package. Francesco Profumo, as minister of education, universities, and research in Italy’s ‘technocratic’ government, will have to implement those cuts. [Italian Science Minister, Italy] Press Release

Mexico Chalks Up Success in Health-Care Reforms
A revamp of Mexico’s beleaguered health-care system is proving to be a runaway success and offers a model for other nations seeking to reform their own systems. The key to the scheme’s success is the way in which it has modified its reforms in response to scientific assessments of their effectiveness. [Mexican Government, Mexico] Press Release

NEW The Jackson Laboratory: Humanized NSG Mice – An Innovative Platform for Advancing Preclinical Research
August 30, 1:00PM (ET in US)
Webinar

NEW 3rd International Conference on Stem Cells and Cancer (ICSCC-2012): Proliferation, Differentiation and Apoptosis
October 27-30, 2012
New Delhi, India

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

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

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

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (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 Position – Biomedical Engineering (School of Medicine, Tsinghua University)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Biology (Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University)


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