ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.26 | Jul 3 2013

AID Stabilizes Stem-Cell Phenotype by Removing Epigenetic Memory of Pluripotency Genes
Investigators tested directly whether activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) regulates epigenetic memory by comparing the relative ability of cells lacking AID to reprogram from a differentiated murine cell type to an induced pluripotent stem cell. They showed that Aid-null cells are transiently hyper-responsive to the reprogramming process. [Nature] Abstract

Single-Cell Analysis Reveals that Expression of Nanog Is Biallelic and Equally Variable as that of Other Pluripotency Factors in Mouse ESCs
Using single-cell gene expression analyses combined with different reporters for the two alleles of Nanog, researchers showed that Nanog is biallelically expressed in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) independently of culture condition. They also showed that the overall variation in endogenous Nanog expression in ESCs is very similar to that of several other pluripotency markers. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Maturation, Not Initiation, Is the Major Roadblock during Reprogramming toward Pluripotency from Human Fibroblasts
Pluripotency can be induced in somatic cells by forced expression of POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1 (OCT3/4), sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-MYC) (OSKM). However, factor-mediated direct reprogramming is generally regarded as an inefficient and stochastic event. Contrary to this notion, the authors herein demonstrate that most human adult dermal fibroblasts initiated the reprogramming process on receiving the OSKM transgenes. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

ES Cells Neural Differentiation Qualifies the Role of Wnt/β-Catenin Signals in Human Telencephalic Specification and Regionalization
Wnt-ligands are among key morphogens that mediate patterning of the anterior territories of the developing brain in mammals. Researchers qualified the role of Wnt-signals in regional specification and sub-regional organization of the human telencephalon using human pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

A Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Cernunnos Deficiency Reveals an Important Role for XLF in the Survival of the Primitive Hematopoietic Progenitors
Whilst the clinical phenotype of DNA damage disorders, including Cernunnos (also known as XLF) deficiency syndrome, has been described extensively, the underlying mechanisms of disease onset, are as yet, undefined. Scientists have been able to generate an induced pluripotent stem cell model of XLF deficiency, which accurately replicates the double strand break repair deficiency observed in XLF patients. [Stem Cells] Abstract

MicroRNA-195 Targets ADP-Ribosylation Factor-Like Protein 2 to Induce Apoptosis in Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells
Scientists defined the proapoptotic role of microRNA-195 in neural progenitor cells derived from two independent human embryonic stem cell lines. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

miR-294/miR-302 Promotes Proliferation, Suppresses G1-S Restriction Point, and Inhibits ESC Differentiation through Separable Mechanisms
The miR-294 and miR-302 microRNAs promote the abbreviated G1 phase of the embryonic stem cell (ESC) cell cycle and suppress differentiation induced by let-7. Here, the authors evaluated the role of the retinoblastoma family proteins in these settings. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Dido3 PHD Modulates Cell Differentiation and Division
Death Inducer Obliterator 3 (Dido3) is implicated in the maintenance of stem cell genomic stability and tumorigenesis. Investigators showed that Dido3 regulates the expression of stemness genes in embryonic stem cells through its plant homeodomain (PHD) finger. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Recent Progress in Generation of Human Surrogate [Beta] Cells
This review evaluates recent progress in several approaches aimed at developing human surrogate β cells, and identifies gaps that need to be filled for bringing them closer to clinical application. [Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes] Abstract

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

Grant Will Support Epilepsy Therapy Study at Wesleyan
Three Wesleyan professors have been awarded a four-year, $1.49 million grant by the state of Connecticut’s Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee. The grant will help fund research on using human embryonic stem cell-derived GABAergic neurons for epilepsy therapy, which is being conducted by Janice Naegele, professor of biology, professor of neuroscience and behavior, Laura Grabel, Lauren B. Dachs Professor of Science and Society, Professor of Biology, and Gloster Aaron, associate professor of biology, associate professor of neuroscience and behavior. [Wesleyan University] Press Release

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UK Science Budget Stays Frozen
The United Kingdom (UK) budget for science will remain in the deep freeze, the chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne revealed. But with cuts being made to nearly all sectors except health and schools, some researchers are relieved that science has emerged relatively unscathed. The comprehensive spending review unveiled sets the budgets of all government departments for the 2015-16 financial year and leaves science funding at £4.6 billion – the same level that it has been at since 2010. [UK Government, United Kingdom] Press Release

E.U. Leaders Agree on Science Budget
European Union (E.U.) leaders have reached a last-minute agreement on the bloc’s budget for the next seven years, which would include €70.2 billion for its flagship research program, Horizon 2020. This is a 23% increase over the previous incarnation, known as Framework Programme 7, which started in 2007 and ends this year. [European Commission, Europe] Press Release  

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Pluripotent Stem Cells to Islets (INSERM FRANCE)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Organic Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry (Masaryk University)

Early Stage Researcher – Effect of Oxidative Damage on hES Cells Signaling Pathways (Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Immunology (Medical University of South Carolina)

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