ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.03 | Jan 23 2013

A Vector-Free Microfluidic Platform for Intracellular Delivery
Researchers describe a microfluidic approach to delivery in which cells are mechanically deformed as they pass through a constriction 30-80% smaller than the cell diameter. The resulting controlled application of compression and shear forces results in the formation of transient holes that enable the diffusion of material from the surrounding buffer into the cytosol. The method has demonstrated the ability to deliver a range of material, such as carbon nanotubes, proteins, and siRNA, to 11 cell types, including embryonic stem cells and immune cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Clonal Isolation of an Intermediate Pluripotent Stem Cell State
Recent studies have revealed heterogeneity of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and the presence of intermediate pluripotent stem cell populations, whose responsiveness to growth factors, gene expression patterns, and associated chromatic signatures are compatible to a state in between ESCs and epiblast stem cells. Here, researchers describe the identification of clonal stem cells from mouse ESCs with global gene expression profiles representing such a state. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Full Article

Efficient Generation of Astrocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Defined Conditions
The authors describe a chemically defined xeno-free medium culture system for rapidly generating astrocytes from neural stem cells derived from pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Full Article

The Use of Agarose Microwells for Scalable Embryoid Body Formation and Cardiac Differentiation of Human and Murine Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers describe a rapid, straightforward soft lithography approach for the preparation of hydrophilic silicon masters from different templates and the subsequent production of patterned agarose-DMEM microwell surfaces for scalable well standardized stem cell aggregation and embryoid body formation. The non-adhesive agarose microwell plates represent an accurate replication of the templates’ topography and were used for aggregation of murine induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Monitoring and Robust Induction of Nephrogenic Intermediate Mesoderm from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers showed the establishment of an efficient system of homologous recombination in human pluripotent stem cells by means of bacterial artificial chromosome-based vectors and single-nucleotide polymorphism array-based detection. This system allowed the researchers to generate human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines containing green fluorescence protein knocked into OSR1, a specific intermediate mesoderm marker. They also established a robust induction protocol for intermediate mesoderm, which produces up to 90% OSR1⁺ cells. [Nat Commun] Abstract | Press Release

Analysis of Protein-Coding Mutations in hiPSCs and Their Possible Role during Somatic Cell Reprogramming
Investigators characterized the genomic integrity of eight human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines derived from five different non-fibroblast somatic cell types. They showed that protein-coding mutations are a general feature of the human induced pluripotent stem cell state and are independent of somatic cell source. [Nat Commun] Abstract

MicroRNA-122 Influences the Development of Sperm Abnormalities from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by Regulating TNP2 Expression
Scientists used human induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate the influence of microRNA-122 expression on the differentiation of these cells into spermatozoa-like cells in vitro. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Engineered Stem Cell-Derived Microglia as Therapeutic Vehicle for Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Researchers showed that genetically engineered embryonic stem cell-derived microglia (ESdM) are a suitable therapeutic vehicle for neurotrophin-3 (NT3) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The intravenously transplanted ESdM migrated into the inflammatory central nervous system lesions and engrafted there as microglial cells. EAE afflicted mice treated with ESdM that were genetically modified to express NT3 showed stable recovery from disease symptoms. [Gene Ther] Abstract

Angiotensin II Promotes Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells to Smooth Muscle Cells through PI3-Kinase Signaling Pathway and NF-κB
Scientists demonstrated for the first time that Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a promotive role in the stage of embryonic stem cell differentiation to smooth muscle cells through Ang II type 1 receptor. They further confirmed that phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway and NF-Kappa B (NF-κB) play key roles in this process. [Differentiation] Abstract

Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells with Nanog
Researchers showed that mouse fibroblasts could be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by Nanog and Bmi1, which replaces Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc, in the absence of Oct4. Furthermore, they showed that in the presence of shh agonists (oxysterol and purmophamine), which replaces the function of Bmi1, a single transcription factor, Nanog is sufficient to reprogram mouse fibroblasts into iPSCs. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Cellular Dynamics Announces the Production of Human iPSC Lines under cGMP Conditions
Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. announced that it is producing human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) master cell banks from five individual donors under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). Manufacturing human iPSCs and ultimately human cells under cGMPs enables the possible use of iPSC-derived human cells within a clinical setting. [Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.] Press Release

Adult Stem Cell Breakthrough Builds on Nobel Prize Winners’ Work
Researchers have built on Nobel Prize-winning research to devise a new way to create powerful stem cells that could cure several conditions that cause blindness. Rather than use genetic manipulation, Dr. Ahmad’s team soaks adult limbal stem cells in an enhanced tissue culture. The soak in the solution changes the molecular make-up of the limbal cells so they become induced pluripotent stem cells. [University of Nebraska Medical Center] Press Release

Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awards $150,000 to Dr. Lee Rubin at Harvard to Advance a New SMA Drug Discovery Program
The researchers have made induced pluripotent stem cells from Type I and Type II spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patient skin biopsies, and produced large numbers of motor neurons that can be used to model SMA. They will use these motor neurons in a screen for drugs that increase SMN levels. [Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy] Press Release

Funding for Texas Cancer Research Agency in Limbo
Texas legislators are threatening to cut off funding for the state’s troubled $3 billion cancer research agency unless the organization can resolve problems with how it awards money. [House of Representatives, United States] Press Release

Japan’s Stimulus Propels Science Spending to New Heights
The economic stimulus the Japanese government announced includes $11 billion for science and technology according to a preliminary analysis released by the Cabinet office. Combined with previously planned spending, total national and local government support for science for the fiscal year through March will reach $57 billion, a new record. Much of the new money will go to applied research. [Japanese Government, Japan] Press Release

NEW 2nd Annual Cell Line Development and Engineering Asia
March 4-6, 2013
Shanghai, China

NEW American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 16^th Annual Meeting 2013
May 15-18, 2013
Salt Lake City, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the ESC & iPSC community.

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

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

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Stem Cell Biology (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiovascular Regenerative Therapies (University of California, Los Angeles)

Senior Postdoctoral Position (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Biology)

Postdoctoral Scientist (Medical Research Council [National Institute for Medical Research])

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Stem Cell Biology and iPS Disease Modeling (Barts and the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – iPS Cell Biology (National University of Singapore, Life Sciences Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology (Stony Brook University Medical Center)


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