ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.21 | May 29 2013

Architectural Protein Subclasses Shape 3D Organization of Genomes during Lineage Commitment
Understanding the topological configurations of chromatin may reveal valuable insights into how the genome and epigenome act in concert to control cell fate during development. Researchers generated high-resolution architecture maps across seven genomic loci in embryonic stem cells and neural progenitor cells. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Sequential Introduction of Reprogramming Factors Reveals a Time-Sensitive Requirement for Individual Factors and a Sequential EMT-MET Mechanism for Optimal Reprogramming
Present practices for reprogramming somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells involve simultaneous introduction of reprogramming factors. Investigators reported that a sequential introduction protocol (Oct4-Klf4 first, then c-Myc and finally Sox2) outperforms the simultaneous one. [Nat Cell Biol]
Abstract | Press Release

Deficits in Human Trisomy 21 iPSCs and Neurons
Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, but the precise molecular mechanisms underlying impaired cognition remain unclear. Elucidation of these mechanisms has been hindered by the lack of a model system that contains full trisomy of chromosome 21 (Ts21) in a human genome that enables normal gene regulation. To overcome this limitation, researchers created Ts21-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from two sets of Ts21 human fibroblasts. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

High Throughput Screening for Inhibitors of Rest in Neural Derivatives of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Reveals a Chemical Compound that Promotes Expression of Neuronal Genes
High-throughput screening of a library of 6,984 compounds with luciferase-assay measuring REST activity in neural derivatives of human embryonic stem cells led to identify two benzoimidazole-5-carboxamide derivatives that inhibited REST silencing in a repressor element-1 (RE1)-dependent manner. The most potent compound, X5050, targeted REST degradation, but neither REST expression, RNA splicing nor binding to RE1 sequence. [Stem Cells] Abstract

An Epigenetic Signature of Developmental Potential in Neural Stem Cells and Early Neurons
Researchers interrogated the epigenome during differentiation of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) to immature GABAergic interneurons. They showed that developmental transitions are accompanied by loss of bivalency at many promoters in line with their increasing developmental restriction from pluripotent ESC through multipotent NSC to committed GABAergic interneuron. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Three-Dimensional Co-Cultures of Human Endothelial Cells and Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Pericytes Inside a Microfluidic Device
Scientists engineered three-dimensional constructs of vascular tissue inside microchannels by injecting a mixture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human embryonic stem cell-derived pericytes and rat tail collagen I into a polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic channel with dimensions 500 μm × 120 μm × 1 cm (w × h × l). [Lab Chip] Abstract

The Tumorigenicity of iPS Cells and Their Differentiated Derivates
Undifferentiated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), iPSC derivates from induced differentiation (iPSC-derivates), iPSC-derivated cardiomyocytes were subcutaneously injected into the back of nude mice. Non-invasive bioluminescence imaging was longitudinally performed at day 1, 7, 14 and 28 after transplantation to track the survival and proliferation of transplanted cells. At day 28, mice were killed and grafts were explanted to detect teratoma formation. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

The Establishment of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Cultures on 96-Well Plates for High-Throughput Screening
The application of embryonic stem (ES) cells can be a useful tool for drug discovery and toxicology. Researchers suggest the high-throughput screening system based on ES cells. [Mol Cells] Abstract

Stem Cell Isolation: Differential Stickiness
Technologies to isolate colonies of human pluripotent stem cells from other cell types in a high-throughput manner are lacking. A microfluidic-based approach that exploits differences in the adhesion strength between these cells and a substrate may soon fill the gap. [Nat Mater] Abstract

Artificial Niche Substrates for Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Cultures
The authors highlighted recent studies describing artificial niche-like substrates used to culture embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells in vitro. [J Biotechnol] Abstract

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

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Grants Exclusive License to Cellular Dynamics International for Development of a Cellular Therapy for Cardiac Muscles
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has granted Cellular Dynamics International exclusive license rights to commercially develop cardiomyocyte progenitors for in vivo cell therapy and regenerative medicine applications. These cells are capable of further differentiation into the multiple cell types of the heart, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells, and thus could be used as a potential therapeutic for damaged heart tissue. [Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai] Press Release

Stem Cell Agency Awards More than $42 Million in New Research and Leadership Funding
California’s position as a global leader in stem cell research has been strengthened by the awarding of $36 million in funds to attract six world-class scientists to the state, and more than $6 million to create a partnership with Sangamo BioSciences to develop a therapy for beta-thalassemia. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

Italian Parliament Orders Clinical Trial of Controversial Stem Cell Treatment
A controversial Italian stem cell therapy that scientists say is unproven will undergo its first solid scientific test. The Italian Senate voted in favor of a new bill that sets aside €3 million for a clinical trial of the treatment, devised by the Stamina Foundation in Turin. Meanwhile, the foundation can continue treating 12 patients at a hospital in Brescia who are already undergoing the disputed therapy. [Italian Senate, Italy]
Press Release

Stem Cell Lobbying Group Closing Its Doors After 12 Years
In a sign of how much the controversy over human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) has waned, the most prominent lobbying group for hESC research announced that it is folding after 12 years. The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research will transfer its work to another group that focuses on moving hESC research into the clinic. [Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, United States] Press Release

Cell Investigating Breakthrough Stem Cell Paper
Eight years after South Korean stem cell scientists were exposed in one of the biggest scientific frauds ever, a paper claiming to have achieved work they faked is itself under investigation. A group led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov of the Oregon National Primate Research Center in Beaverton reported in Cell that it had used cloning to make personalized human embryonic stem cells. [ScienceInsider] Press Release

Sequester's 5% Cut Rolls Through Biomedical Labs
National Institutes of Health (NIH) is losing $1.7 billion this year from sequestration and other cuts, lowering its budget to $29.15 billion. New and competing grants are going down by 703, from 8986. As a result, the NIH grant success rate may drop from an already record-low 18% in 2012 to 16%, according to Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chair of the Senate spending subcommittee that discussed NIH's 2014 budget request. [National Institutes of Health, United States] Press Release

New wallchart from our sponsor: Mesenchymal Stem Cells (a Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology collaboration). Request your free copy.

NEW Postdoctoral Position - Anatomy & Embryology (Leiden University Medical Center)

Research Fellow - Cardiovascular Regenerative Applications (Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships - Embryonic Stem Cells, Epigenetics, and Gene Regulation (NIEHS, National Institutes of Health)

Postdoctoral Fellow - Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Genomic Study of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models of Human Disease (Stanford University - Dept. of Cardiovascular Medicine)

Research Assistant - Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Ocular Stem Cells (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

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

Postdoctoral Position - Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow (Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne)


Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization's career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in ESC & iPSC News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.