ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.13 | Apr 3 2013

Disease-Causing Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy Segregated within Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Clones Derived from a MELAS Patient
Mitochondrial diseases display pathological phenotypes according to the mixture of mutant versus wild-type mitochondrial DNA, known as heteroplasmy. Scientists examined the impact of nuclear reprogramming and clonal isolation of induced pluripotent stem cells on mitochondrial heteroplasmy. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Identification and Characterization of a Transient Outward K⁺ Current in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
The ability to recapitulate mature adult phenotypes is critical to development of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) as models of disease. Researchers examined the characteristics of the transient outward current and its contribution to the hiPSC-CM action potential. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

Engineered Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Lymphocytes to Study In Vivo Trafficking and Immunotherapy
Investigators used both bioluminescent and fluorescent imaging to demonstrate trafficking of human embryonic stem cell-derived natural killer cells to tumors in vivo. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Improved Methods for Reprogramming Human Dermal Fibroblasts Using Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting
Researchers described an improved method for the derivation of induced pluripotent stem cell lines using fluorescence activated cell sorting to isolate single cells expressing the cell surface marker signature CD13^NEGSSEA4^POSTra-1-60^POS on day 7-10 after infection. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

Neuronal Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Neuronal Progenitors Can Be Regulated by Stretchable Conducting Polymers
The authors tuned the electrical and mechanical cues provided to embryonic stem cells during differentiation by precisely straining the conducting polymer-coated, elastomeric-substrate. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

The Impact of Enriched Environment and Transplantation of Murine Cortical Embryonic Stem Cells on Recovery from Controlled Cortical Contusion Injury
Scientists aimed to determine if post-surgical environmental enrichment impacts the survival, migration, and integration of embryonic stem cells in a rodent model of traumatic brain injury and if the presence of these cells lead to improved outcomes. [Restor Neurol Neurosci] Abstract

Identification of Small Molecules that Promote Human Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal
Researchers report identification of small molecules, some of which were neurotransmitter antagonists (trimipramine and ethopropazine), which promote long-term human embryonic stem cell self-renewal without basic fibroblast growth factor in the medium. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

In Vitro and In Vivo Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Male Germ Cells
Mouse induced pluripotent stem (miPS) cell line 4.1 has been established via retroviral transfer of human transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc; the germline competence of this line has not been determined. Researchers induced the differentiation of miPS-4.1 cells into male germ cells, in vivo and in vitro. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Granulosa Cells Participate in Ovarian Follicle Formation In Vitro and In Vivo
Investigators demonstrated that Forkhead box L2-expressing ovarian somatic cells derived in vitro from differentiating embryonic stem cells express granulosa cell markers, actively associate with germ cells in vitro, synthesize steroids, respond to follicle-stimulating hormone, and participate in folliculogenesis in vivo. [Reprod Sci] Abstract

C/EBPα Induces Highly Efficient Macrophage Transdifferentiation of B Lymphoma and Leukemia Cell Lines and Impairs Their Tumorigenicity
Testing >20 human lymphoma and leukemia B cell lines, researchers found that most can be transdifferentiated at least partially into macrophage-like cells, provided that C/EBPα is expressed at sufficiently high levels. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Current Methods for Inducing Pluripotency in Somatic Cells
The authors provide an overview on current reprogramming protocols, discuss their pros and cons and future challenges to provide safe and transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cells. [Adv Mater] Abstract

The Cell Cycle and Pluripotency
Researchers summarize the current understanding of links between the core cell cycle machinery and the maintenance of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. [Biochem J]
Full Article

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ACT Initiates Treatment of Higher-Dosage Cohort in Clinical Trials for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced treatment of patients in the third patient cohort, in each of its two U.S. clinical trials for forms of macular degeneration. The patients were injected with 150,000 human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells, as compared with the 100,000-cell dose used in the previous three patients of the second cohort. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

CDI Partners with Buck to Derive and Bank iPSCs
Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) announced that the company is opening a facility in Novato, Calif., leasing space from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging (Buck). This opening of a second CDI facility is in response to the company receiving a $16 million grant award from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine to create and bank human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). [Buck Institute for Research on Aging] Press Release

Mount Sinai Leads Global Program Using Stem Cells, Collaborates with The New York Stem Cell Foundation to Accelerate Cures for Alzheimer’s Disease
Sam Gandy, MD, PhD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is leading an international team of researchers working to reprogram skin cells into brain cells to gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. As part of the Consortium, Dr. Gandy is collaborating with Scott Noggle, PhD, the NYSCF - Charles Evans Senior Research Fellow for Alzheimer’s Disease and Director of the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF)’s laboratory in Manhattan. [New York Stem Cell Foundation] Press Release

Retina Institute Japan and Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Form a Capital Alliance towards the Development of Nobel Prize Winning iPS Cell Technology
Retina Institute Japan K.K. (RIJ) and Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (DSP) announced that the two companies signed an agreement that DSP invests into RIJ to discuss alliance to put iPS cell technology to practical use. [Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.] Press Release

Stem-Cell Ruling Riles Researchers
Italy's health minister, Renato Balduzzi, has decreed that a controversial stem-cell treatment can continue in 32 terminally ill patients, mostly children - even though the stem cells involved are not manufactured according to Italy’s legal safety standards. [Italian Health Minister, Italy] Press Release

Chair of House Spending Panel Says NIH Grants Violate Rules against Lobbying
The chair of the House of Representatives spending panel that funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is claiming that some federally funded biomedical research violates government restrictions on lobbying state lawmakers or Congress. [House of Representatives, United States] Press Release

NEW Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Mouse Development, Stem Cells & Cancer
June 5-25, 2013
Cold Spring Harbor, United States

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Postdoctoral Fellow - Cardiovascular Stem Cell (Yale University, School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position (University of Rochester Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position - Stem Cell Research (University of Washington)

Lecturer or Reader - Associate Professor (University of Reading)

Research Scientist (Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Postdoctoral Positions - Stem Cells and Immunology (University of Connecticut)

Position in Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Masaryk University)

Postdoctoral Position - Retroviruses and Gene Transfer Unit (Institut Pasteur, Labex Revive)


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