ESC & iPSC News Volume 7.50 | Dec 19 2012

Epigenetic Regulation of Nanog by miR-302 Cluster-MBD2 Completes iPS Cell Reprogramming
Researchers found that expression of exogenous microRNA (miR)-302 cluster (without miR-367) is efficient in attaining a fully reprogrammed iPS state in partially reprogrammed cells by relieving methyl-DNA binding domain protein 2 (MBD2)-mediated inhibition of NANOG expression. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Primordial Germ Cells by Single Reprogramming Factors
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) could be converted to a pluripotent state by infection with any of the known reprogramming factors (Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc). These cells were designated as multipotent PGCs. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Clinically Amenable Keratinocytes in an Autogenic Environment
Researchers demonstrated an efficient differentiation of H9 human embryonic stem cells into keratinocytes with the minimum use of animal-derived materials. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

The Trithorax Group Protein Ash2l Is Essential for Pluripotency and Maintaining Open Chromatin in Embryonic Stem Cells
Results underscored the importance of Ash2l in open chromatin regulation, and provide insight into how the open chromatin landscape is maintained in embryonic stem cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Hair Follicle Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human hair follicles (hHF-MSCs) are easily accessible, reproducible by direct plucking of human hairs. Whether these hHF-MSCs can be reprogrammed has not been previously reported. Researchers reported the generation of inducible pluripotent stem cells from hHF-MSCs obtained by plucking several hairs. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract | Full Article

Transplantation of Porcine Embryonic Stem Cells and Their Derived Neuronal Progenitors in a Spinal Cord Injury Rat Model
Researchers investigated the therapeutic potential of green fluorescent protein expressing porcine embryonic stem cells in a rat model of spinal cord injury. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Nuclear Reprogramming with c-Myc Potentiates Glycolytic Capacity of Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Inclusion of c-Myc potentiates the pluripotent glycolytic behavior of derived induced pluripotent stem cells, supporting c-Myc-free reprogramming as a strategy to facilitate oxidative metabolism-dependent lineage engagement. [J Cardiovasc Transl Res] Abstract

Metformin Limits the Tumorigenicity of iPS Cells without Affecting Their Pluripotency
Metformin prevents the occurrence or drastically reduces the size and weight of teratoma-like masses after the transplantation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into immunodeficient mice. Yet, iPS cells implanted into metformin-treated mice retain full pluripotency, as they produce the same number of distinct tissue types derived from the three embryonic germ layers that is observed in untreated mice. [Sci Rep]
Full Article

Embryonic Stem Cell and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell: An Epigenetic Perspective
Accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic mechanisms not only play important roles in the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) generation process, but also affect the properties of reprogrammed iPSCs. Understanding the roles of various epigenetic factors in iPSC generation contributes to our knowledge of the reprogramming mechanisms. [Cell Res] Full Article

Embryonic Stem Cells and Inducible Pluripotent Stem Cells: Two Faces of the Same Coin?
Both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells are under intense clinical investigation for cell-based therapy. In this review, researchers revisit stem cell biology and add a new layer of complexity. [Aging] Abstract | Full Article

Research into Therapies for Preeclampsia, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Hearing Loss Win Funding from Stem Cell Agency
More than $36 million was awarded to research stem cell therapies for diseases that affect millions of Americans at the latest board meeting of the state’s stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

Cedars-Sinai Physician-Scientist Awarded $3 Million to Study the Most Common Inherited Neurological Disorder
A Cedars-Sinai physician-scientist has been awarded a $3 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to study with new stem cell technology Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The researcher’s team will employ induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) created at the Regenerative Medicine Institute, which conducts stem cell research and produces stem cells for study at other institutions through its iPSC Core Facility. [Cedars-Sinai] Press Release

ACT Announces Completion of Higher-Dosage Cohort in European Clinical Trial for Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced treatment of the fifth and sixth patients in the company’s European clinical trial for Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), completing the second patient cohort. The patients were injected with 100,000 hESC-derived RPE cells, as compared to 50,000 cells in the first cohort. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

National Institutes of Health Tackles Major Workforce Issues
The world’s largest biomedical research funding agency announced a program of nudges, incentives and requirements intended to respond to two thorny workforce-related problems: the oversupply of young scientists who face diminishing prospects of landing academic jobs, and the lack of demographic diversity in the US biomedical workforce. [National Institutes of Health, United States] Press Release

Government ‘Exams’ for Italian Scientists Trigger Outcry
An unprecedented government effort to shore up the quality of Italian science by reviewing the work of individual scientists and institutions has triggered a firestorm of protest. Critics say the government review is using flawed criteria and will do little to reward the best Italian scientists. [Ministry of Education, University and Research, Italy] Press Release

Russia Shakes Up Its Universities
The Russian government plans to close struggling institutions and increase funding to the best. The move reflects the determination of Russian authorities to end support for hundreds of under-achieving institutions and to concentrate funding in a smaller number of high-performing universities. [Russian Government, Russia] Press Release

Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Stem Cell Researcher (BioTalentum Ltd.)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Genomics (University of Virginia)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Epigenetics (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

Senior QC Analyst/Assay Development Associate (StemCells, Inc.)

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