ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.43 | Oct 31 2012

Impaired Intrinsic Immunity to HSV-1 in Human iPSC-Derived TLR3-Deficient CNS Cells
Researchers tested the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) encephalitis involves non-hematopoietic CNS-resident cells. They derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from the dermal fibroblasts of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)- and UNC-93B-deficient patients and from controls. [Nature] Abstract

Activation of Innate Immunity Is Required for Efficient Nuclear Reprogramming
In gain- and loss-of-function studies, researchers found that the toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) pathway enables efficient induction of pluripotency by viral or mmRNA approaches. Stimulation of TLR3 causes rapid and global changes in the expression of epigenetic modifiers to enhance chromatin remodeling and nuclear reprogramming. Activation of inflammatory pathways are required for efficient nuclear reprogramming in the induction of pluripotency. [Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Murine and Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Bodies Form Contractile Myocardial Tissue In Vitro
Scientists explored the use of highly purified murine and human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to generate functional bioartificial cardiac tissue and investigated the role of fibroblasts, ascorbic acid, and mechanical stimuli on tissue formation, maturation, and functionality. [Eur Heart J] Abstract

Cartilage Tissue Engineering Using Differentiated and Purified Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from adult mouse fibroblasts were chondrogenically differentiated and purified by type II collagen-driven green fluorescent protein expression. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
Abstract | Press Release

HIRA Dependent H3.3 Deposition Is Required for Transcriptional Reprogramming following Nuclear Transfer to Xenopus Oocytes
Nuclear transfer to eggs and oocytes attempts to identify the mechanism of this direct route towards reprogramming by natural components. In this study, researchers analyzed how the reprogramming of nuclei transplanted to Xenopus oocytes exploits the incorporation of the histone variant H3.3. [Epigenetics Chromatin] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Generated from Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Using a Non-Viral Polycistronic Plasmid in Feeder-Free Conditions
Researchers reported a method to generate induced pluripotent stem cells from adult human adipose-derived stem cells without the use of a feeder layer, by ectopic expression of the defined transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and C-MYC using a polycistronic plasmid. [PLoS One] Full Article

Cdk1 Interplays with Oct4 to Repress Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Trophectoderm
The authors explained how Cdk1 and Oct4 interplay to inhibit embryonic stem cell differentiation into trophectoderm and thereby maintain stemness. [FEBS Lett] Abstract | Full Article

Establishment of Transgene-Free Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reprogrammed from Human Stem Cells of Apical Papilla for Neural Differentiation
Researchers aimed to establish transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cells reprogrammed from human stem cells of apical papilla and determine their neurogenic potential. [Stem Cell Res Ther]
Abstract | Full Article

Evaluation of Hepatotoxicity of Chemicals Using Hepatic Progenitor and Hepatocyte-Like Cells Derived from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators evaluated the toxicity of chemicals at specific developmental stages of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived hepatic differentiation; hepatic progenitor cells, and hepatocyte-like cells. [Cell Biol Toxicol] Abstract

A Small Molecule that Promotes Cardiac Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells under Defined, Cytokine- and Xeno-Free Conditions
For medical applications, clinical-grade cardiac cells must be produced from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in a defined, cost-effective manner. Combined use of KY02111 and WNT signaling modulators produced robust cardiac differentiation of hPSCs in a xeno-free, defined medium, devoid of serum and any kind of recombinant cytokines and hormones, such as BMP4, Activin A, or insulin. [Cell Rep] Abstract

Pivots of Pluripotency: The Roles of Non-Coding RNA in Regulating Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
This review surveys the currently known roles and mechanisms of non-coding RNAs in regulating the embryonic and induced pluripotent states. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Clinical Experience with Stem Cells and Other Cell Therapies in Neurological Diseases
This review summarizes the state-of-the-art and the clinical worldwide experience with the use of various types of stem cells in neurological diseases. [J Neurol Sci] Abstract

Cellectis Bioresearch Inc. Wins a $6.9 Million Contract with The National Institutes of Health on iPS Cells
Cellectis Bioresearch announced that it has been awarded a second contract to provide services to the National Institutes of Health and certain other government agencies. This multiple award, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract, has a maximum order limit of $6.9 million over a period of three years. Under the terms of the contract, the scope of work includes generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines of research grade and differentiation of iPS cells toward specific tissue cell type for research use. [Cellectis Bioresearch Inc.] Press Release

ViaCyte Receives $10.1 Million Strategic Partnership Award from CIRM to Continue Development of Diabetes Therapy
ViaCyte, Inc. announced that it has received a $10.1 million Strategic Partnership Award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). ViaCyte’s innovative stem cell-based therapy for diabetes has been supported by several previous rounds of funding from CIRM, including a $20 million Disease Team Award in 2009. [ViaCyte, Inc.] Press Release

Stem Cell Therapeutics Announces Admission to Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) Consortium
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. reported its admission to the CCRM industry consortium. [Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.] Press Release

Human Embryonic Stem Cell and Human Embryo Research
Given the possible substantial benefit of stem cell research on child health and development, the American Academy of Pediatrics believes that funding and oversight for human embryo and embryonic stem cell research should continue. [Pediatrics] Abstract | Full Article

Muted Reaction to New Science Budget in Australia
Over several rather tense weeks, the federal government froze all science grants while seeking to balance the nation’s budget. But the midyear budget had welcome relief: AUS $1.686 billion for the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and the Cooperative Research Centres. [Australian Government, Australia] Press Release

What They Think: Congressional Leaders Weigh-In on Science
American students are spending too much time watching television and not enough time studying, and the United States has too little to show for the billions of federal dollars spent on climate research and science education. Those are just a few of the comments from nine senior members of Congress who responded to questions about science and science policy from ScienceDebate, a coalition of science groups. [US Congress, 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.)

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)

Experienced Researcher (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)


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