ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.48 | Dec 4 2013

Characterization of the Human ESC Transcriptome by Hybrid Sequencing
Investigators combined second-generation sequencing and third-generation sequencing with a custom-designed method for isoform identification and quantification to generate a high-confidence isoform dataset for human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Promoter and Lineage Independent Anti-Silencing Activity of the A2 Ubiquitous Chromatin Opening Element for Optimized Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Gene Therapy
Scientists demonstrated profound anti-silencing activity of the A2 ubiquitous chromatin opening elements in several human iPS and ES cell lines including their progeny obtained upon directed cardiac or hematopoietic differentiation. [Biomaterials] Abstract

A 3D Alzheimer’s Disease Culture Model and the Induction of P21-Activated Kinase Mediated Sensing in iPSC Derived Neurons
Researchers demonstrated how a three dimensional (3D) culture of stem cell derived neurons can induce in vivo like responses related to Alzheimer’s disease, not recapitulated with conventional 2D cultures. [Biomaterials] Full Article

Transdifferentiation and Remodeling of Post-Embryonic C. elegans Cells by a Single Transcription Factor
Scientists found that brief expression of a single transcription factor, the ELT-7 GATA factor, can convert the identity of fully differentiated, highly specialized non-endodermal cells of the pharynx into fully differentiated intestinal cells in intact larvae and adult Caenorhabditis elegans. [Development] Abstract | Press Release

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived MSC Seeding on Calcium Phosphate Scaffold for Bone Regeneration
Researchers aimed to obtain induced pluripotent stem cells-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iPSC-MSCs), seed iPSC-MSCs on calcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffold for the first time to investigate cell attachment and proliferation and to investigate osteogenic differentiation of iPSC-MSCs on CPC and mineral synthesis by the cells. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Efficient Large-Scale Generation of Functional Hepatocytes from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Grown in a Rotating Bioreactor with Exogenous Growth Factors and Hormones
Scientists investigated whether a large number of functional hepatocytes can be differentiated from mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells using a simulated microgravity bioreactor. mES cells were cultured in a rotating bioreactor in the presence of exogenous growth factors and hormones to form embryoid bodies, which then differentiated into hepatocytes. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Generation of Functional Insulin-Producing Cells from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells through 804G Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix and Protein Transduction of Transcription Factors
Investigators tried to establish an effective method of differentiation through the protein transduction of three transcription factors (Pdx1, NeuroD, and MafA) important to pancreatic β cell development. [Stem Cell Transl Med] Abstract

Human Dendritic Cells Derived from Embryonic Stem Cells Stably Modified with CD1d Efficiently Stimulate Antitumor Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Response
Using a lentivector carrying an optimized expression cassette, researchers generated stably modified human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines that consistently overexpressed CD1d. These modified hESC lines were able to differentiate into dendritic cells as efficiently as the parental line. [Stem Cell Transl Med] Abstract

Specification of Functional Cranial Placode Derivatives from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists demonstrated the efficient derivation of cranial placodes from human pluripotent stem cells. Timed removal of the BMP inhibitor Noggin, a component of the dual-SMAD inhibition strategy of neural induction, triggers placode induction at the expense of CNS fates. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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New Report on Stem Cell Research Reveals the Field is Growing Twice as Fast as the World Average
Elsevier, EuroStemCell, and Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, released “Stem Cell Research report: Trends and Perspectives on the Evolving International Landscape” at the World Stem Cell Summit. This new, comprehensive analysis of the growth and development of the stem cell field as a whole, closely examines the research landscape for embryonic stem cells, human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release | Report

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UK Government’s Overspending Could Hit Science Budget
Leaked documents suggest that the UK research budget may be cut by 2%, or around £200 million, over two years. The revelations came in an internal memo from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills that lays out a package of measures ministers are said to be discussing to balance the department’s budget. [Nature News] Editorial

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NEW Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

NEW Chief Medical Officer – Novel Therapeutics in Oncology and Autoimmune Disease (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – RNA and Stem Cell Biology (Cancer Research Centre of Lyon)

Research Associate – Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine (King’s College London)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Liver Tissue Engineering (Harvard Medical School)

PhD Studentship – Wnt-Signaling and Stem Cell Biology (University of Amsterdam)

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

Assistant Director (Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Stem Cells (Sabine Costagliola-ULB)

Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology (University of Notre Dame/College of Science)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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

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