ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.42 | Oct 24 2012

Genome-Wide Nucleosome Positioning during Embryonic Stem Cell Development
Investigators determined genome-wide nucleosome occupancies in mouse embryonic stem cells and their neural progenitor and embryonic fibroblast counterparts to assess features associated with nucleosome positioning during lineage commitment. [Nat Struct Mol Biol] Abstract

Generation of Integration-Free Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Postnatal Blood Mononuclear Cells by Plasmid Vector Expression
Researchers described a detailed, validated protocol for effective generation of integration-free human induced pluripotent stem cells from blood mononuclear cells by plasmid vectors. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Identification of Key Regulatory Pathways of Myeloid Differentiation Using an mESC-Based Karyotypically Normal Cell Model
The authors showed that myeloid progenitors can be derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs), immortalized, and applied to the study of the mechanisms underlying myeloid differentiation. [Blood] Abstract

In Vivo Maturation of Functional Renal Organoids Formed from Embryonic Cell Suspensions
Producing tissues similar to immature kidneys from simple suspensions of fully dissociated embryonic renal cells is possible in vitro, but glomeruli do not form in the avascular environment. Here, researchers constructed renal organoids from single-cell suspensions derived from E11.5 kidneys and then implanted these organoids below the kidney capsule of a living rat host. [J Am Soc Nephrol] Abstract | Press Release

Limited Gene Expression Variation in Human Embryonic Stem Cell and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Endothelial Cells
Scientists report a differentiation protocol based on embryonic development that consistently yields large numbers of endothelial cells derived from multiple human embryonic stem or induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Full Article

TGF-Beta-Superfamily Signaling Regulates Embryonic Stem Cell Heterogeneity: Self-Renewal as a Dynamic and Regulated Equilibrium
The authors sought to define the activities of two TGF-beta-related signaling pathways, bone morphogenetic protein and Nodal signaling, in modulating mouse embryonic stem cell heterogeneity in undifferentiated culture conditions. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Temporal Application of Topography to Increase the Rate of Neural Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers explored the effect of topography on the neural differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells by quantitatively studying the changes in marker expression at a transcript and protein level. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Cardiac Progenitors Derived from Reprogrammed Mesenchymal Stem Cells Contribute to Angiomyogenic Repair of the Infarcted Heart
Scientists reported efficient reprogramming of multipotent bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to pluripotent status. The resultant MSC derived induced pluripotent stem cells and their derived progenitors effectively repaired the infarcted heart. [Basic Res Cardiol] Abstract | Full Article

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitors Aid in Functional Recovery of Sensory Pathways following Contusive Spinal Cord Injury
Studies have already demonstrated cells’ survival following transplantation in spinal cord injury. The authors sought to evaluate survival and potential therapeutic effects of transplanted human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in a contusive injury in rats. [PLoS One] Full Article

Gene Expression Signatures of Extracellular Matrix and Growth Factors during Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Investigators examined the global dynamic profiles of extracellular matrix and growth factor genes associated with early stages of pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation. [PLoS One]
Full Article

The Evolution of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture: From Feeder Cells to Synthetic Coatings
The establishment of defined culture conditions and synthetic matrices will facilitate studies to more precisely probe the molecular basis of pluripotent stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. When combined with 3D cultures in bioreactors, these systems will also enable large-scale expansion for future clinical applications. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Full Article

Cell Sources for the Regeneration of Articular Cartilage: The Past, the Horizon and the Future
This review discusses the cell sources which are currently being investigated for the generation of chondrogenic cells. The chondrogenic potential of human embryonic stem cells are also discussed as a developmentally relevant cell source, which has the potential to generate chondrocytes with phenotype closer to that of articular cartilage. [Int J Exp Pathol] Abstract

NIH-CRM Awards Cellular Dynamics up to $7 Million to Produce Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Differentiated Tissue Cells
The National Institutes of Health Center for Regenerative Medicine (NIH-CRM) has awarded Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. a contract to provide human induced pluripotent stem cell lines and terminally differentiated tissue cells from normal or specified patient populations. The contract is worth up to $7.0 million for the three year life of the agreement. [Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.] Press Release

ACT Announces Approval to Treat Additional Stargardt’s Disease Patients with Higher RPE Dosage in Both U.S. and European Clinical Trials
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 second and third additional patients with Stargardt’s macular dystrophy in the second patient cohort of its U.S. trial for the condition. Each patient in the second cohort will be injected with 100,000 human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, up from 50,000 in the first cohort. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

ACT’s European Clinical Trial Advances to First Patient Treatment with Higher Dosage of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced treatment of the fourth patient, the first in the second patient cohort, in its European clinical trial for Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy. The patient was injected with 100,000 human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells, as compared with 50,000 cells in the three patients comprising the first cohort. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

ACT Announces Second Stargardt’s Disease Patient Treated with Higher Dosage of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced treatment of the fifth patient, the second in the second patient cohort, in its U.S. clinical trial for Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy. The patient was injected with 100,000 human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells, as compared with the 50,000 cell dose used in the three patients of the first cohort. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

Association Establishes the AABB Center for Cellular Therapies
AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) has established the AABB Center for Cellular Therapies, a functional unit within AABB that will focus on activities designed to foster patient safety and responsible innovation in the cellular therapy and regenerative medicine field. [AABB] Press Release

Italy’s Research Institutes Urged to Collaborate
The heads of Italy’s 12 national research institutes have been asked to come up with ways of working more closely together, both to save money and to boost their ability to compete for research funds from the European Union. [Italian Research Minister, Italy] Press Release

Australian Research Grants Escape Government Cutbacks
Australia’s research grants have been left untouched in mid-year spending adjustments aimed at maintaining a budget surplus. But scientists are not entirely happy with the figures announced: over the next four years, the government has removed some A$499 million from funds that help universities meet the overhead costs of research, such as equipment and infrastructure. [Australian Science Minister, Australia] 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.)

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

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (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 Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

PhD Student – Biochemical Analysis of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Differentiation (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Research Associate – Embryonic Stem Cell Group (Kymab Ltd.)

Postdoctoral Position – Functional Genomics of ESCs & iPSCs (University of Cologne)


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