ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.41 | Oct 17 2012

Progressive Degeneration of Human Neural Stem Cells Caused by Pathogenic LRRK2
Researchers reported on the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from Parkinson’s disease patients and the implications of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2)(glycine-to-serine substitution at amino acid 2019) mutation in human neural-stem-cell populations. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

DICER- and AGO3-Dependent Generation of Retinoic Acid-Induced DR2 Alu RNAs Regulates Human Stem Cell Proliferation
Investigators report that ~2-3% of the ~100,000-200,000 total human DR2 Alu repeats located in proximity to activated polymerase II (Pol II) transcription units are activated by the retinoic acid receptor in human embryonic stem cells to generate Pol III-dependent RNAs. [Nat Struct Mol Biol] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model Recapitulates Pathologic Hallmarks of Gaucher Disease
To model Gaucher disease (GD), researchers generated human induced pluripotent stem cells, by reprogramming skin fibroblasts from patients with type 1, type 2, and type 3 GD. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Exogenous Activation of BMP-2 Signaling Overcomes TGFβ-Mediated Inhibition of Osteogenesis in Marfan Embryonic Stem Cells and Marfan Patient Specific Induced-Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers have previously demonstrated that unique skeletal phenotypes observed in human embryonic stem cells carrying the monogenic Fibrillin-1 (FBN1) mutation (MFS cells) are faithfully phenocopied by cells differentiated from induced pluripotent-stem cells (MFSiPS) derived independently from MFS patient fibroblasts. In the current study, the authors aimed to determine further the biochemical features of transducing signaling(s) in MFS stem cells and MFSiPS cells highlighting a cross-talk between TGFβ and BMP signaling. [Stem Cells] Abstract

The Positional Identity of Mouse ES Cell-Generated Neurons Is Affected by BMP Signaling
Scientists investigated the effects of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in determining the positional identity of neurons generated in vitro from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. [Cell Mol Life Sci]
Abstract | Full Article

Transplantation of Parthenogenetic Embryonic Stem Cells Ameliorates Cardiac Dysfunction and Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction
Researchers investigated whether parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (pESCs) could repair myocardial infarction as compared to ESCs. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

Medaka Embryonic Stem Cells Are Capable of Generating Entire Organs and Embryo-Like Miniatures
Researchers presented data in the fish medaka that embryonic stem cells have a novel ability to form extra organs and even embryo-like miniatures. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Targeted Genomic Integration of a Selectable Floxed Dual Fluorescence Reporter in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators used zinc finger nuclease technology to stably insert a unique, selectable, floxed dual-fluorescence reporter transgene into the AAVS1 locus of RUES2 human embryonic stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Bone Tissue Engineering of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Cultured with Macrochanneled Polymer Scaffold
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells without an embryoid body step were cultured in macrochanneled poly(caprolactone) scaffolds prepared using a robotic dispensing technique, after which osteogenesis was promoted by the addition of exogenous osteogenic factors. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models of Progranulin-Deficient Frontotemporal Dementia Uncover Specific Reversible Neuronal Defects
Scientists generated multiple induced pluripotent stem cell lines from a control subject, a patient with sporadic frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and an FTD patient with a novel heterozygous GRN mutation (progranulin [PGRN] S116X). Findings identify cell-autonomous, reversible defects in patient neurons with PGRN deficiency, and provide a compelling model for studying PGRN-dependent pathogenic mechanisms and testing potential therapies. [Cell Rep] Abstract

Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species in the Fate of Stem Cells
Regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has a vital role in maintaining ‘stemness’ and differentiation of the stem cells, as well as in progression of stem cell associated diseases. Here, researchers discuss the various roles of ROS in adult, embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. [Antioxid Redox Signal] Abstract

iPS Cell Modeling of Cardiometabolic Diseases
The authors discuss the excitement and challenges of modeling cardiometabolic diseases using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell and their potential to revolutionize translational research. [J Cardiovasc Transl Res] Abstract

Cellectis Wins Up to $9.5 Million NIH Stem Cell Contract
Cellectis bioresearch won a potentially $9.51 million contract to provide stem cell services to NIH and other U.S. government agencies. Under terms of the indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract, Cellectis will carry out services including the production of clinical-grade induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines and differentiation of iPS cells towards specific tissue cell types of clinical grade. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News] Press Release

Pioneering iPS Cell Scientist Kazutoshi Takahashi Receives NYSCF – Robertson Prize in Stem Cell Research
The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) will award a Japanese scientist with the NYSCF – Robertson Prize for his extraordinary achievements in translational stem cell research. This award will go to Kazutoshi Takahashi, PhD, Lecturer, Center for Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University, for his vital contribution to iPS cell derivation. [The New York Stem Cell Foundation]
Press Release

Stem Cell Opponents Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
Two scientists who have fought a three-year, losing court battle to block federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research have now taken their case to the U.S. Supreme Court. [U.S. Supreme Court, United States] Press Release

Italian Government Seeks Massive Research Merger
A new plan to radically overhaul and streamline Italy’s research system has been heavily criticized by many of the heads of the country’s research institutes. The plan would see all 12 institutes overseen by the research ministry incorporated into a single new entity, the National Research Centre. [Italian Research Minister, Italy] Press Release

Peer Panel Implodes at Texas Cancer Research Agency
Texas’ $3 billion cancer research agency is in trouble again: Its peer review system appears to have come apart. The entire eight-member scientific review council of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) is stepping down, with most citing concerns about the integrity of the agency’s peer review process. Many members of CPRIT’s 100-strong roster of peer reviewers have begun to follow. [Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, United States] Press Release

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Product Manager – Hematopoietic (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Stem Cell Researcher (BioTalentum Ltd.)

Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Stem Cell Tissue Engineering (Stanford University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Stem Cells, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Discovery (Roche Switzerland AG)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)


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