ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.40 | Oct 9 2013

Global Transcriptional and Translational Repression in Human-Embryonic-Stem-Cell-Derived Rett Syndrome Neurons
Scientists showed, using an isogenic human embryonic stem cell model of Rett syndrome, that MECP2 mutant neurons display key molecular and cellular features of this disorder. [Cell Stem Cell]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Engineering Liver Tissue from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: A First Step in Generating New Organs for Transplantation?
Researchers showed the generation of vascularized and functional human liver from human induced pluripotent stem cells by transplantation of liver buds created in vitro (iPSC-LBs). Specified hepatic cells (immature endodermal cells destined to track the hepatic cell fate) self-organized into three-dimensional iPSC-LBs by recapitulating organogenetic interactions between endothelial and mesenchymal cells. [Hepatology] Abstract

Therapeutic Efficacy of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells in Humanized Mouse Models Harboring a Human Immune System
Scientists sought to examine the therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial cells, human embryonic fibroblasts, and cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells in a human immune system environment. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol] Abstract

Transcriptome Comparison of Human Neurons Generated Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Dental Pulp and Skin Fibroblasts
Dental pulp would be a good source for neurodevelopmental disorders in children because obtaining material is non-invasive. Scientists investigated its suitability for disease modeling by carrying out gene expression profiling, using RNA-seq, on differentiated neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cell made from dental pulp extracted from deciduous teeth and fibroblasts. [PLoS One] Full Article

A Novel Feeder-Free Culture System for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derivation
Investigators tested whether a commonly available human choriocarcinoma cell line, JAR, which produces high quantities of laminins, supports the growth of undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells. [PLoS One]
Full Article

Ischemia, Immunosuppression, and SSEA-1-Negative Cells All Contribute to Tumors Resulting from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Transplantation
Researchers investigated the tumor formation resulting from mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells in a rat stroke model and in nude mice. Four weeks after transplantation, the grafted cells were found to be viable at the border of the necrosis and had differentiated into neurons. [J Neurosci Res] Abstract

Analysis of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from a BRCA1 Mutant Family
Researchers generated and characterized 24 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from fibroblasts of eight individuals from a BRCA1 5382insC mutant family. All BRCA1 5382insC heterozygous fibroblasts, iPSCs, and teratomas maintained equivalent expression of both wild-type and mutant BRCA1 transcripts. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article

Long-Term Self-Renewal of Human ES/iPS-Derived Hepatoblast-Like Cells on Human Laminin 111-Coated Dishes
To purify and expand human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived hepatoblast-like cells (HBCs), human PSC-derived HBCs were cultured on dishes coated with various types of human recombinant laminins. Human PSC-derived HBCs attached to human laminin-111 (LN111)-coated dish via integrin alpha 6 and beta 1 and were purified and expanded by culturing on the LN111-coated dish, but not by culturing on dishes coated with other laminin isoforms. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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Geron Completes Divestiture of Stem Cell Assets
Geron Corporation announced the closing of the transaction to divest the company’s stem cell assets. Geron entered into an Asset Contribution Agreement with BioTime, Inc. and Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. [Geron Corporation] Press Release

U.S. Senate Blocks House Plan to Exempt NIH From Shutdown
The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate has blocked a House of Representatives plan to restore current funding levels for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through 15 December, saying House Republicans shouldn’t be allowed to pick and choose which federal agencies they’d like to reopen. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

New HHS Rule: Blood Stem Cells Aren’t for Sale
The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a proposed rule that would include hematopoietic stem cells acquired by apheresis under the definition of “human organ,” precluding payment for them. [MedPage Today, LLC] Editorial

Call for Change to Stem Cell Regulation
Professor Wilmut is among a number of leading scientists calling on governments from around the world to adopt a joined-up approach. This would allow induced pluripotent stem cells to be shared between countries. [The University of Edinburgh] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Stem Cells (Bioprocessing Technology Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Bioprocessing Technology Institute)

PhD Student – Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (TU Dresden)

Research Scientist – Stem Cell Research (Approach People Recruitment)

Postdoctoral Position – Heart Disease and Human ES/iPS Cells (University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Leukemia Biology (Northwestern University)

Technician Position – Stem Cells and Epigenetics (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Culture Media & Matrices (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Quality Control Analyst – Media (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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