ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.05 | Feb 6 2013

A Unique Oct4 Interface Is Crucial for Reprogramming to Pluripotency
To understand the unique role of Oct4 in reprogramming, investigators determined the structure of its POU domain bound to DNA. They showed that the linker between the two DNA-binding domains is structured as an α-helix and exposed to the protein’s surface, in contrast to the unstructured linker of Oct1. Point mutations in this α-helix alter or abolish the reprogramming activity of Oct4, but do not affect its other fundamental properties. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract | Press Release

Production of Hepatocyte-Like Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists describe a 25-day protocol to direct the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into a near-homogenous population of hepatocyte-like cells. [Nat Protoc] Full Article

RUNX1a Enhances Hematopoietic Lineage Commitment from Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Inducible Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers demonstrated that expression of endogenous RUNX1a, an isoform of RUNX1, parallels with lineage commitment and hematopoietic emergence from human pluripotent stem cells, including both human embryonic stem cells and inducible pluripotent stem cells. [Blood] Abstract

Divergent Transcription of Long Noncoding RNA/mRNA Gene Pairs in Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators generated catalogs of long noncoding RNA species expressed in human and murine embryonic stem cells and mapped their genomic origin. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Wnt3a Stimulates Maturation of Impaired Neutrophils Developed from Severe Congenital Neutropenia Patient-Derived Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from an individual with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) (SCN-iPS cells). Granulopoiesis from SCN-iPS cells revealed neutrophil maturation arrest and little sensitivity to granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, reflecting a disease status of SCN. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Wnt and Notch Signals Guide Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation into the Intestinal Lineages
Using an in vitro differentiation procedure of pluripotent stem cells into definitive endoderm, inductive signal pathways guiding differentiation into intestinal cells were investigated. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Human Embryonic Stem Cells Differentiate into Functional Renal Proximal Tubular-Like Cells
In order to provide a reliable source of human renal cells, researchers developed a protocol for the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into renal epithelial cells. [Kidney Int] Abstract

ISL1 Protein Transduction Promotes Cardiomyocyte Differentiation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Protein transduction has been demonstrated as an alternative approach for increasing the efficiency of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiation toward cardiomyocytes. The authors present an efficient protocol for the differentiation of hESCs in suspension by direct introduction of a LIM homeodomain transcription factor, Islet1 (ISL1) recombinant protein into the cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Correlated Spatio-Temporal Fluctuations in Chromatin Compaction States Characterize Stem Cells
Using fluorescence imaging, researchers studied the spatio-temporal dynamics of nuclear architecture and chromatin compaction in mouse embryonic stem cells and differentiated states. [Biophys J]
Abstract | Full Article

Derivation of Multiple Cranial Tissues and Isolation of Lens Epithelium-Like Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists induced differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in conditions that allowed formation of neural and non-neural ectoderm and to a lesser extent mesoderm. They further exploited their information to facilitate the isolation and purification by fluorescence-activated cell sorting of a cranial placode derivative, the lens, from differentiating hESCs. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Prospects on hESC-Derived Pancreatic Progenitor Expansion
Successful derivation of pancreatic progenitors from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in vitro and further differentiation towards functional β cells in vivo may create the possibility of using hESC-derived pancreatic progenitors, instead of derived β cells, as an alternative transplantable source in β cell replacement therapy. The authors discuss present approaches, as well as future alternatives, in the fields of basic and clinic research on β cell differentiation, derivation and transplantation. [Cell Res] Full Article

The Dynamics of Induced Pluripotency and Its Behavior Captured in Gene Network Motifs
Despite having gathered much attention, the molecular details and responsible gene regulatory networks during the reprogramming process are largely unresolved. In this review, researchers analyze the sequence and dynamics of reprogramming to construct a time-line of the molecular events taking place during induced pluripotency. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Full Article

Salk Institute Awarded Historic $42 Million Grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies has received a $42 million gift-the largest in the Institute’s history-to establish the Helmsley Center for Genomic Medicine, a research center dedicated to decoding the common genetic factors underlying many complex chronic human diseases. The award, from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, will support interdisciplinary research that paves the way to new therapies for chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. [Salk Institute for Biological Studies] Press Release

STEMSOFT and Digi-Trax Labeling Solution
STEMSOFT Software Inc., the leading provider of software solutions for the cell therapy and transplant community, and Digi-Trax® Corporation, the leading supplier of bar code labeling systems for healthcare, are pleased to announce the certification of ISBT label generation and printing from StemLab on the Digi-Trax HemaTrax-CT printing solution. [STEMSOFT Software Inc.] Press Release

UK Research Councils Could Face Mergers
A government review could lead to major changes at the agencies charged with distributing much of the United Kingdom’s scientific funding. Possible changes to improve efficiency include bringing the roughly £3-billion annual spend of all seven research councils into a single pot – potentially resulting in a body that would look rather like the US National Science Foundation. [Cabinet Office, United Kingdom] Press Release

Fully Fund Research, European Industrial Leaders Say
The European Research Council, which funds top basic research, issued a joint letter with the European Round Table of Industrialists, a group that includes several dozen chief executives of Europe’s largest companies. The letter calls for European leaders to approve the proposed €80 billion budget for Horizon 2020, the research funding program slated to run from 2014 through 2020. [European Research Council, European Union] Press Release

Japan’s S&T Budget for 2013 Sags
When the Japanese government approved a budget for the year beginning in April, at first glance scientists appeared to be the big losers. The Ministry of Education’s S&T budget, which covers the lion’s share of the nation’s research spending, will decline 3.3%, to $13.2 billion. [Education Ministry, Japan] Press Release

New Initiative Throws Open Access to Arabic Science Education
The outgoing US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, launched a project that will lower obstacles to scientific education for Arabic-speaking people across the world. In one of her last acts as America’s top diplomat, Clinton launched the Open Book Project, which will make high-quality educational resources freely available online in the Arabic language. [US Secretary of State, United States] Press Release

NEW Danish Stem Cell Society (DASCS) 2nd Symposium 2013
March 7, 2013
Copenhagen, Denmark

NEW Cell Reprogramming Australia (CRA) – Frontiers in Cell Reprogramming
May 6-7, 2013
Brisbane, Australia

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

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

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)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell and Neurodegenerative Diseases (University of Connecticut Health Center)


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