ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.11 | Mar 26 2014

FIREWACh: High-Throughput Functional Detection of Transcriptional Regulatory Modules in Mammalian Cells
The authors report a high-throughput functional assay for directly identifying active promoter and enhancer elements called FIREWACh (Functional Identification of Regulatory Elements Within Accessible Chromatin), which they used to simultaneously assess over 80,000 DNA fragments derived from nucleosome-free regions within the chromatin of embryonic stem cells and identify 6,364 active regulatory elements. [Nat Methods] Abstract

Transcripts Involved in Calcium Signaling and Telencephalic Neuronal Fate Are Altered in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Bipolar Disorder Patients
Investigators examined changes in gene expression as induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived from well-characterized patients differentiate into neurons; there was little difference in the transcriptome of iPSC, but bipolar disorder neurons were significantly different than controls in their transcriptional profile. [Transl Psychiatry] Full Article | Press Release

Retinoic Acid Suppresses the Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway in Embryonic Stem Cells and Activates the Noncanonical Wnt Signaling Pathway
The activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which requires the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and its interaction with Transcription factor 7/Lef at Wnt response elements, is involved in embryonic stem cells stemness maintenance. The noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway, through actions of Transcription factor 7-like 1, can antagonize the canonical pathway. Scientists showed that retinoic acid activates the noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway, while concomitantly inhibiting the canonical pathway. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Coactivators p300 and CBP Maintain the Identity of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells by Mediating Long-Range Chromatin Structure
The authors examined the function of two highly homologous coactivators, p300 and CREB-binding protein (CBP), in embryonic stem (ES) cells. They found that these two coactivators play redundant roles in maintaining the undifferentiated state of ES cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Forebrain Neurons from FXS Individuals Show Defects in Initial Neurite Outgrowth
Investigators created human induced pluripotent stem cell lines from fibroblasts obtained from individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) to enable in vitro modeling of the human disease. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Osteogenesis from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: An In Vitro and In Vivo Comparison with Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Osteo-induced human induced pluripotent stem cells were implanted on the critical-size calvarial defects and long bone segmental defects in rats. The healing of defects was evaluated after 8 weeks and 12 weeks of implantation respectively. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Induction of Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Urothelium
Investigators developed an efficient in vitro protocol for the induction of human embryonic stem cells into urothelium through an intermediary definitive endoderm step and free of matrices and cell contact. [Stem Cell Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Human Finger-Prick Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Facilitate the Development of Stem Cell Banking
Researchers describe the efficient derivation of transgene-free human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from human finger-prick blood. Finger-prick sample collection can be performed on a “do-it-yourself” basis by donors and sent to the hiPSC facility for reprogramming. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Concise Review: Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Applications for Failing β-Cell Function
In light of emerging clinical experiences with human embryonic stem cells and approval of the first in-human trial with induced pluripotent stem cells, the authors highlight advances in β-cell regeneration strategies with a focus on pluripotent stem cell platforms in the context of translational applications. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

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Budget Unveils £55 Million Large-Scale Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center for the UK
The Cell Therapy Catapult, which is focused on the development of the UK cell therapy industry to increase the nation’s health and wealth, is to manage the new UK Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center announced in the budget. The first such UK facility, it is a recognition of the quality and potential of the UK cell therapy community, and will have £55 million of funding from 2014/15. [Cell Therapy Catapult] Press Release

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Irreproducibility Dogs New Reprogramming Method
Since January, scientists around the world have unsuccessfully attempted to reproduce a surprising stem cell finding that claimed simply stressing adult cells could turn them into powerful stem cells that resemble those found in early embryos. Now, ScienceInsider has learned that some of the labs involved in producing the two papers describing the work had not attempted to reproduce the technique before the papers were published. [Nature News] Editorial

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Postdoctoral Position – Embryonic Stem Cells and Chromatin Biology (University of Michigan)

Postdoctoral Position – TGFβ-Signaling Pathway in Embryonic Stem Cells (Tsinghua University)

Stem Cell Research Technician (Van Andel Research Institute)

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

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Stem Cell Biology and Hematopoiesis (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cells (CREI Stem Cells, SkolTech)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiovascular Electrophysiology Research Involving Human ESC or iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Initiative (European Bioinformatics Institute)

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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