ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.14 | Apr 10 2013

Short Telomeres in ESCs Lead to Unstable Differentiation
Researchers found that mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with critically short telomeres initiated normal differentiation after leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) withdrawal but, unlike control ESCs, failed to maintain stable differentiation when LIF was reintroduced to the growth medium. [Cell Stem Cell]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Bimodal Quantitative Relationships between Histone Modifications for X-Linked and Autosomal Loci
The authors analyzed quantitative relationships between colocalized histone marks during embryonic stem cell differentiation and found that, for autosomal genes, these densities follow bimodal patterns. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Neural Progenitors Organize in Small-World Networks to Promote Cell Proliferation
Coherent network activity among assemblies of interconnected cells is essential for diverse functions in the adult brain. However, cellular networks before formations of chemical synapses are poorly understood. Embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitors were found to form networks exhibiting synchronous calcium ion activity that stimulated cell proliferation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

Inhibition of PTEN Tumor Suppressor Promotes the Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers showed that activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway by the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (Pten) inhibitor, dipotassium bisperoxo(5-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxyl)oxovanadate, improves the efficiency of germline-competent induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derivation from mouse somatic cells. This simple method provides a new approach for efficient generation of iPSCs. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Zebularine Regulates Early Stages of mESC Differentiation: Effect on Cardiac Commitment
Scientists examined the effects of zebularine (1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-1), a stable and non-toxic DNA cytosine methylation inhibitor, on mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) differentiation. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Normal Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Were Derived from Microsurgical Enucleated Tripronuclear Zygotes
Results indicated that depronucleared tripronuclear (3PN) zygotes can improve the blastocysts formation rate, and normal human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines can be derived from those corrected 2PN embryos. Based on their multi-directional differentiation potential in vitro, the established hESC lines could be applied to the developmental risk assessment for in vitro fertilization babies born from restored zygotes. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Generation of Neural Cells from DM1 Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as Cellular Model for the Study of Central Nervous System Neuropathogenesis
Dystrophia myotonica type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant multisystem disorder. The pathogenesis of central nervous system involvement is poorly understood. Disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines would provide an alternative model. Researchers generated two DM1 lines and a normal iPSC line from dermal fibroblasts by retroviral transduction of Yamanaka's four factors (hOct4, hSox2, hKlf4, and hc-Myc). [Cell Reprogram] Abstract

The Interactomes of POU5F1 and SOX2 Enhancers in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
The genes POU5F1 and SOX2 are critical for pluripotency and reprogramming, yet the chromosomal organization around these genes remains poorly understood. Researchers assayed long-range chromosomal interactions on putative enhancers of POU5F1 and SOX2 genes in human embryonic stem cells using 4C-Seq technique. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cell-Based Therapeutics: The Next Pillar of Medicine
Two decades ago, the pharmaceutical industry - long dominated by small-molecule drugs - was revolutionized by the advent of biologics. Today, biomedicine sits on the cusp of a new revolution: the use of microbial and human cells as versatile therapeutic engines. Researchers discuss the promise of this “third pillar” of therapeutics in the context of current scientific, regulatory, economic, and perceptual challenges. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Self-Correction of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Human Preimplantation Embryos and Embryonic Stem Cells
This review addresses aneuploidies in human preimplantation embryos and human embryonic stem cells and the potential of self-correction of these aberrations. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field.

NeoStem Awarded Second Year of NIAID Research Grant for the Development of VSEL Technology for Radiation Exposure
NeoStem, Inc. announced that it has been awarded the second year of a two year grant totaling $595,252 for the "Development of Human, Autologous, Pluripotent Very Small Embryonic Like (VSELs) Stem Cells as a Countermeasure to Radiation Threat", Grant Number 5R43AI098325-02 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a division of the National Institutes of Health. [NeoStem, Inc.]
Press Release

UW Stem Cell Pioneer Thomson Earns Innovation Award
Thomson, who first derived human embryonic stem cells in 1998 and reprogrammed human skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells in 2007, has earned the McEwen Award for Innovation from the International Society for Stem Cell Research. He is being honored for his work in isolating human pluripotent stem cells, which revealed new possibilities for basic biology, drug discovery and cell-based therapies. [University of Wisconsin-Madison] Press Release

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Canadian Official to Investigate Allegations That Government Scientists Are Being Muzzled
A simmering dispute over Canadian government rules on how federal researchers communicate with the public and the press has taken an unexpected turn. The country's information commissioner, Suzanne Legault, confirmed that she has opened an investigation into whether scientists in seven government departments are being muzzled by senior politicians. [Canadian Information Commissioner, Canada]
Press Release

As White House Embraces BRAIN Initiative, Questions Linger
For neuroscientist Rafael Yuste, sitting in an ornate White House chamber listening to President Barack Obama heap praise - and some $100 million - on a brain-mapping initiative that he helped hatch was a "luminous" experience. For all the lofty rhetoric, however, the White House didn't provide many details about how the BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative will accomplish its mission. [White House, United States] Press Release

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

Postdoctoral Position - Stem Cell Research (University of Washington)

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

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

Postdoctoral Position - Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Masaryk University)

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

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Ocular Stem Cell (Buck Institute for Research on Aging)

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Queen Mary University of London)


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