ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.35 | Sep 5 2012

UTX Regulates Mesoderm Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells Independent of H3K27 Demethylase Activity
To investigate the role of histone H3K27 demethylase UTX in embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation, the authors generated UTX knockout and enzyme-dead knock-in male ES cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

AP2γ Regulates Neural and Epidermal Development Downstream of the BMP Pathway at Early Stages of Ectodermal Patterning
Researchers showed that AP2γ, a transcription factor activator protein (AP)-2 family member, is upregulated by bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) during neural differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. Knockdown of AP2γ facilitates mouse embryonic stem cell neural fate determination and impairs epidermal differentiation, whereas AP2γ overexpression inhibits neural conversion and promotes epidermal commitment. [Cell Res] Abstract

Cellular Heterogeneity during Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation to Epiblast Stem Cells Is Revealed by the ShcD/RaLP Adaptor Protein
Scientists report the role of the newly identified family member, ShcD/RaLP, whose expression in vitro and in vivo suggests a function in embryonic stem cell to epiblast stem cells transition. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Analysis of Endogenous Oct4 Activation during Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Reprogramming Using an Inducible Oct4 Lineage Label
Researchers have generated a transgenic mouse that expresses the tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase MerCreMer under the control of the endogenous Oct4 locus, enabling lineage tracing of Oct4 expression in cells in vivo or in vitro, during either reprogramming or differentiation. [Stem Cells] Abstract

NO/Beta-Catenin Crosstalk Modulates Primitive Streak Formation Prior to Embryonic Stem Cell Osteogenic Differentiation
Investigators sought to determine the temporal effect of nitric oxide (NO) on murine embryonic stem cells under culture conditions that promote osteogenesis. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

Functional Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells via Mesenchymal Stem Cell Intermediates
Researchers developed a robust, stage-wise, feeder-free strategy for human induced pluripotent stem cells differentiation into functional smooth muscle cells through an intermediate stage of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells, which could be coaxed to differentiate into fat, bone, cartilage and muscle. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

Ex Vivo Reconstitution of Arterial Endothelium by Embryonic-Stem-Cell-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Baboons
Scientists concluded that embryonic stem cell-derived angioblasts are promising therapeutic agents for repairing damaged vasculature, and that the baboon model will be vital for optimizing therapies for human clinical studies. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Myocardin Overexpression Is Sufficient for Promoting the Development of a Mature Smooth Muscle Cell-Like Phenotype from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers found that myocardin increases the development and maturation of smooth muscle cell (SMC)-like cells from human embryonic stem cells despite not activating the full repertoire of SMC genes. [PLoS One] Full Article

X-Chromosome Inactivation in Monkey Embryos and Pluripotent Stem Cells
While the status of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in human embryos and inner cell masses (ICMs) remains unknown, the majority of human female embryonic stem cells (ESCs) show non-random XCI. The authors demonstrated that rhesus monkey ESCs also display monoallelic expression and methylation of X-linked genes in agreement with non-random XCI. [Dev Biol] Abstract

Directed Differentiation of Embryonic P19 Cells and Neural Stem Cells into Neural Lineage on Conducting PEDOT-PEG and ITO Glass Substrates
Differentiation of pluripotent and lineage restricted stem cells such as neural stem cells (NSCs) was studied on conducting substrates of various nature without perturbation of the genome with exogenous genetic material or chemical stimuli. Primary mouse adult NSCs and P19 pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cells were used. [Arch Biochem Biophys] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology for Disease Modeling and Drug Screening with Emphasis on Lysosomal Storage Diseases
Scientists reviewed the recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology for modeling of various lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) and discuss possible strategies through which LSD-iPSCs can be exploited to identify novel drugs and improve future clinical treatment of LSDs. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract

Systematic Review of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology as a Potential Clinical Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
This review highlights emerging evidence that suggests induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are not necessarily indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and may occupy a different “state” of pluripotency with differences in gene expression, methylation patterns and genomic aberrations which, may reflect incomplete reprogramming and may therefore impact on the regenerative potential of these donor cells in therapies. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Vivalis Announces a New EB66^® Cell Line Research Collaboration
Vivalis announced that it has signed an evaluation program with a major non-governmental vaccine research institute using Vivalis’ proprietary EB66^® cell line. The program will assess the productivity of a new viral vector construct in EB66^® cells used for the development of a new vaccine destined for a large, unmet need. [Vivalis] Press Release

NIH Awards $7.5 Million, Designates URMC Orthopedics as Center of Research Translation
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) was granted a $7.5 million Center of Research Translation award for programs designed to find new therapies for arthritis and bone healing. Scientists will primarily investigate the regulation of stem cells in joint tissue and bone, and how tissues respond after musculoskeletal injury to knees and hips. [University of Rochester Medical Center] Press Release

Biomedical Miracles: Prestigious Partnership Funds Five New Health Care Innovations by MU Scientists
University of Missouri (MU) was chosen as one of 15 universities in the nation to enter into a Coulter Translational Partnership to take biomedical engineering products from the lab to the market. Now, University of Missouri announced five projects getting a nudge toward commercialization thanks to $5.2 million in Coulter funds. [University of Missouri] Press Release

STEMSOFT Welcomes New EMEA Sales Director
STEMSOFT Software, Inc. (STEMSOFT), the leading provider of software solutions for the cell therapy and transplant community, is pleased to welcome Isabel Feys on board as the new Director of Sales for the EMEA area. [STEMSOFT Software, Inc.] Press Release

International Collaboration Key to Science and Engineering Globalization
International collaboration is a key aspect of the globalization of science and engineering. A recent report and data evaluation showed that one in six scientists and engineers in the United States reported working with individuals in other countries in a given week. [National Science Foundation, United States]
Press Release

Republican Party Platform Has a Lot to Say About Science
Addressing climate change and reducing demand for fossil fuels are out, and more neuroscience research and space science missions are in. Those shifts from 2008 are evident in the 2012 Republican Party Platform approved at the GOP’s national convention in Tampa, Florida. [Republican Party, United States]
Press Release

African Cooperation ‘Dropped from EU Research Calls’
African scientists may be more likely to be left out of lucrative collaborations with European Union (EU) researchers, according to some policy experts. A mandate for EU research groups to include African partners in projects was dropped from the Seventh Framework Programme 2013 calls for proposals for EU competitive research grant. [Seventh Framework Programme, European Union] Press Release

NEW International Society of Differentiation Conference: Stem Cells, Development and Regulation
November 5-8, 2012
Amsterdam, Netherlands

NEW BIT’s 3^rd Annual World Congress of Molecular & Cell Biology
June 14-16, 2013
Suzhou, China

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 Position – Biomedical Engineering (School of Medicine, Tsinghua University)

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

Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)


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