ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.12 | Apr 2 2014

The Retrovirus HERVH Is a Long Noncoding RNA Required for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Identity
Human endogenous retrovirus subfamily H (HERVH) is a class of transposable elements expressed preferentially in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Researchers report that the long terminal repeats of HERVH function as enhancers and that HERVH is a nuclear long noncoding RNA required to maintain hESC identity. [Nat Struct Mol Biol] Abstract | Editorial

Directed Differentiation of Embryonic Origin-Specific Vascular Smooth Muscle Subtypes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Investigators describe how human pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into distinct populations of smooth muscle cell subtypes under chemically defined conditions. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

KAP1 Represses Differentiation-Inducible Genes in Embryonic Stem Cells through Cooperative Binding with PRC1 and Derepresses Pluripotency-Associated Genes
The changes in the transcriptome upon conditional KAP1 knockout in embryonic stem (ES) cells overlapped with the changes during embryoid body formation. KAP1 repressed differentiation-inducible genes and derepressed pluripotency-associated genes in ES cells. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

In Vitro Generation of Motor Neuron Precursors from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using Mesoporous Nanoparticles
Differentiation of embryonic stem cells into motor neuron precursors involves factors and their repeated administration. Scientists investigated if delivery of factors loaded into mesoporous nanoparticles could be effective for stem cell differentiation in vitro. [Nanomedicine (Lond)] Abstract

A Comprehensive System for Generation and Evaluation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using piggyBac Transposition
Researchers describe a simple but comprehensive system for generating and evaluating induced pluripotent stem cells by single transfection of multiple piggyBac plasmid vectors encoding Tet-inducible polycistronic reprogramming factors, a pluripotent-cell-specific reporter, a constitutively active reporter, and a sperm-specific reporter. [PLoS One] Full Article

Robust, Microfabricated Culture Devices with Improved Control Over the Soluble Microenvironment for the Culture of Embryonic Stem Cells
The use of microfabricated systems combines good control over the cellular microenvironment with reduced use of resources in process optimization. Investigators describe a number of improvements to the design of the microfabricated system to significantly improve the control over shear stress and soluble factors, particularly dissolved oxygen. [Biotechnol J] Abstract

Simple Derivation of Transgene-Free iPS Cells by a Dual Recombinase Approach
Scientists describe a new approach for the simple derivation of transgene-free induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells by the sequential use of two DNA recombinases, C31 Integrase and Cre, to control the genomic insertion and excision of a single, non-viral reprogramming vector. [Mol Biotechnol] Abstract

Intrastriatal Transplantation of Adenovirus-Generated Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Treating Neuropathological and Functional Deficits in a Rodent Model of Huntington’s Disease
Adult rats received a regimen of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) to induce behavioral and neuropathological deficits that resemble Huntington’s disease. At 7, 21, and 42 days after the initiation of 3-NP or vehicle, the rats received intrastriatal bilateral transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

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£3.5 Million Boost for Regenerative Medicine Research Programs
The Loughborough University-led Center for Doctoral Training in Regenerative Medicine has been awarded £3.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council to further its research programs in the fast-growing field of the healthcare industry. [Loughborough University]
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German University Tells Elsevier ‘No Deal’
In the latest skirmish between academia and publishers over the costs of academic journals, the University of Konstanz in Germany has broken off negotiations over a new licensing agreement with the scientific publisher Elsevier. The publisher’s prices are too high, said university Rector Ulrich Rüdiger in a statement, and the institution “will no longer keep up with this aggressive pricing policy and will not support such an approach.” [ScienceInsider] Editorial

UK Funders Get Tough on Privacy Breaches
Leading UK organizations that fund research have threatened to revoke the funding of scientists who determine the identities of participants in medical and genomic studies who had expressed a wish to remain anonymous. [Nature News] Editorial

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NEW Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Washington University School of Medicine)

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

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

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