ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.02 | Jan 22 2014

Enhanced Reseeding of Decellularized Rodent Lungs with Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators hypothesized that pre-treatment of decellularized matrices with defined extracellular matrix proteins, which match the repertoire of integrin receptors expressed by the cells to be seeded (e.g., embryonic stem cells) can increase the efficacy of the reseeding process. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Modified Lentiviral LTRs Allow Flp Recombinase-Mediated Cassette Exchange and In Vivo Tracing of “Factor-Free” Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers report that polycistronic lentiviral vectors with single Flp recognition target sites can be used to generate murine induced pluripotent stem cells that are devoid of the reprogramming cassette, but carry an intergenic 300-bp LTR sequence. [Mol Ther] Abstract

The Response of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells to Low Doses of γ-Radiation: Evidence for an Adaptive Response
Thymidine-synchronized mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were exposed to 25, 37, or 5 cGy ⁶⁰Co γ-rays and, after 5 hours, challenged by a dose of 150 cGy. mESCs pre-irradiated at 25 cGy showed an adaptive response. [Mutat Res] Abstract

Efficient Programming of Human Eye Conjunctiva-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem (ECiPS) Cells into Definitive Endoderm-Like Cells
Investigators aimed first at establishment of novel induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, ECiPS, which were directly reprogrammed from human eye conjunctiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells and then compared the inductive effects of Wnt3a/Activin A biomolecules to IDE1 small molecule in derivation of definitive endoderm from the ECiPS cells. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

The Effect of Rho-Associated Kinase Inhibition on the Proteome Pattern of Dissociated Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists investigated the effect of Y-27632, a competitive Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, on the proteome of embryonic stem cells (hESCs). hESCs were exposed to ROCK inhibition directly by the addition of Y-27632 to the culture medium or to the Matrigel substratum. [Mol Biosyst] Abstract

Investigating the Feasibility of Scale Up and Automation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Cultured in Aggregates in Feeder Free Conditions
Researchers describe the first published protocol for scalable automated expansion of human induced pluripotent stem cell lines growing in aggregates in feeder-free and chemically defined medium. [J Biotechnol] Abstract

Indirect Immune Recognition of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Hematopoietic Progenitors In Vitro
Scientists compared the developmental maturity and immunogenicity of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived hematopoietic progenitors generated via two methods: embryoid body formation and culture of ESCs with the OP9 bone marrow stromal cell line. [Exp Hematol] Abstract

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Advanced Cell Technology Announces Change in Management
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. announced that Gary Rabin will leave the Chief Executive Officer position, effective immediately. The board has appointed the Company’s CFO and Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, Edward Myles, as interim President. The board will initiate a search for a permanent CEO. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

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U.S. Science Agencies Get Some Relief in 2014 Budget
The ghost of former President George W. Bush permeates the 2014 budget that Congress released. His presence is good news for physical scientists, but less cheery for biomedical researchers, as Congress reserved some of the biggest spending increases for NASA and the Department of Energy. The National Institutes of Health, meanwhile, got a $1 billion increase that is drawing mixed reviews from research advocates. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Business Gains Drive Higher R&D Spending in U.S.
The U.S. research ship is righting itself after going through some stormy seas, according to data from the National Science Foundation. But the latest picture of overall R&D spending in the United States shows two divergent trends: High-tech companies are steaming ahead after rebounding from the 2008 recession, while the end of the massive stimulus spending begun in 2009 has left academic researchers facing increasingly choppy waters. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Omnibus Bill Gives Nudge to Public Access
Congress took a small step toward expanding a requirement that science agencies make federally funded research papers publicly available in the omnibus spending bill approved recently. But the 1-year provision applies only to certain agencies, and the research behemoth among them – the National Institutes of Health – already has a similar policy. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Spanish Stem Cell Star Steps Down
A pioneering Spanish stem cell center has suddenly lost its leader – and some worry it may lose most of its research projects as well. Developmental biologist Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte stepped down as the director of the Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona, which he helped create almost a decade ago. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetic Regulation of Heart Formation Using Human ES & iPS Cells (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Associate – Hematopoietic Differentiation (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Biology (University of Luxembourg)

Postdoctoral Associate – Stem Cell Biology (State University of New York)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University School of Medicine)

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

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

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