ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.44 | Nov 7 2012

Gata4 Blocks Somatic Cell Reprogramming by Directly Repressing Nanog
Somatic cells can be reprogrammed to induced-pluripotent stem cells by ectopic expression of the four factors Oct4, Klf4, Sox2 and Myc. Researchers investigated the role of Gata4 in the reprogramming process and present evidence for a negative role of this family of transcription factors in the induction of pluripotency. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Self-Organizing Neuroepithelium from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Facilitates Derivation of Photoreceptors
Scientists reported that formation of a transient self-organized neuroepithelium from human embryonic stem cells cultured together with extracellular matrix is sufficient to induce a rapid conversion into retinal progenitors in five days. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Neuronopathic Gaucher’s Disease: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Disease Modeling and Testing Chaperone Activity of Small Compounds
The authors developed an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) model of neuronopathic Gaucher’s Disease. Dermal fibroblasts of a patient with a P.[LEU444PRO];[GLY202ARG] genotype were transfected with a loxP-flanked polycistronic reprogramming cassette consisting of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc and iPSC lines derived. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract

A Comparison of Human Cord Blood- and Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells in the Treatment of Chronic Wounds
Researchers directly compared the capacity of human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and human cord blood-derived EPCs to benefit wound healing. [Biomaterials] Abstract

BMP4 Sufficiency to Induce Choroid Plexus Epithelial Fate from Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neuroepithelial Progenitors
During development, choroid plexus epithelial cells (CPECs) differentiate from preneurogenic neuroepithelial cells and require bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, but whether BMPs suffice for CPEC induction is unknown. Here investigators provided evidence for BMP4 sufficiency to induce CPEC fate from neural progenitors derived from mouse embryonic stem cells. [J Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

In Vitro Modeling of Paraxial Mesodermal Progenitors Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers established a protocol for the differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells into paraxial mesodermal lineages in serum-free culture. [PLoS One] Full Article

Chromosome-Wide Regulation of Euchromatin-Specific DNA Cytosine Methylation to 5hmC Conversion in Mouse ES Cells and Female Human Somatic Cells
Scientists demonstrated that 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) accumulated on euchromatic chromosomal bands that were marked with di- and tri-methylated histone H3 at lysine 4 in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. [Chromosome Res] Abstract | Full Article

Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived M2-Like Macrophages Delay Cutaneous Wound Healing
The authors investigated whether atopical application of ex vivo generated, embryonic stem cell-derived macrophages (ESDM) improve wound healing in mice. ESDM were tested side by side with bone marrow-derived macrophages. [Wound Repair Regen] Abstract

Cryopreservation of Pluripotent Stem Cell Aggregates in Defined Protein-Free Formulation
Researchers assessed the suitability of cryopreserving intact mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) aggregates and investigated the effects of aggregate size and the formulation of cryopreservation solution on mESC survival and recovery. [Biotechnol Prog] Abstract

Generation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Peripheral Blood Using the Stem Cell Cassette Lentiviral Vector
Through the ectopic expression of four transcription factors, Oct4, Klf4, Sox2 and cMyc, human somatic cells can be converted to a pluripotent state, generating so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Researchers demonstrated a protocol for the generation of human iPSCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells using a single floxed-excisable lentiviral vector constitutively expressing the four factors. [J Vis Exp] Abstract | Press Release | Video

Metabolic Regulation in Pluripotent Stem Cells during Reprogramming and Self-Renewal
Scientists discuss the emerging roles for metabolism in pluripotent stem cell self-renewal, differentiation, and reprogramming. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract

Modeling Long-QT Syndromes with iPS Cells
Different types of the long-QT syndrome have been studied by analyzing the phenotype of cardiomyocytes generated from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells lines. Major aspects of the pathophysiology of long-QT syndrome, like prolonged action potentials, arrhythmia, and the effects of pro- and antiarrhythmic drugs could be recapitulated in these cells. [J Cardiovasc Transl Res] Abstract

Wellcome Trust and MRC Invest £13 Million to Create a New National Stem Cell Resource
The Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council (MRC) announced a £12.75 million initiative to create a catalogue of high-quality adult stem cells, so-called ‘induced pluripotent stem cells’ (iPS cells). The initiative will provide a knowledge base to underpin the use of such cells in studying the effects of our genes on health and disease and lay the foundations to create a new iPS cell bank, providing a world-class resource for UK researchers. [Wellcome Trust] Press Release

StemCells, Inc. Partners with R Biomedical to Develop and Commercialize Reagents for Human iPS Cell Research
StemCells, Inc. announced that it has partnered with R Biomedical to develop and commercialize a range of cell lines and reagents to facilitate human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-based research for regenerative medicine applications. [StemCells, Inc.] Press Release

Update on Stem Cell Therapy
The Department of Health saw the necessity to cover regulations for Stem Cell therapy. Stem Cell therapy belongs to the category of Advanced Cell therapy which includes biologics and blood. [Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines] Press Release

Health Sector Opens Purse for US Election
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the health sector – which includes the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, health insurance providers, hospitals and organizations representing heath care professionals – poured more than US$193 million into campaign coffers and political action committees in hopes of influencing the vote. [Center for Responsive Politics, United States] Press Release

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.)

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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