ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.15 | Apr 23 2014

JMJD5 Regulates Cell Cycle and Pluripotency in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers identified JMJD5, a Jumonji C domain containing protein that, when depleted in human embryonic stem cells, causes the accumulation of cells in G1 phase, loss of pluripotency and subsequent differentiation into multiple lineages, most prominently ectoderm and trophectoderm. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Parthenogenetic Embryonic Stem Cells Are an Effective Cell Source for Therapeutic Liver Repopulation
Investigators determined whether parthenogenetic embryonic stem cell derivatives are effective in rescuing mice with lethal liver failure due to deficiency of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Switching between Self-Renewal and Lineage Commitment of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells via Cell-Substrate and Cell-Cell Interactions on a Dendrimer-Immobilized Surface
Understanding mechanisms that govern cell fate determination of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) could assist in maintenance of the undifferentiated state during cell expansion. Investigators used polyamidoamine dendrimer surfaces with first-generation, third-generation and fifth-generation of dendron structure in cultures of hiPSCs with SNL feeder cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Reprogramming of the Chick Retinal Pigmented Epithelium after Retinal Injury
Researchers investigated the expression of pluripotency inducing factors in the retinal pigmented epithelium after retinectomy (injury) and during transdifferentiation in the presence of fibroblast growth factor 2. [BMC Biol] Abstract | Full Article

Reactive Oxygen Species Regulate the Quiescence of CD34-Positive Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Few studies have examined the generation and function of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human embryonic vascular development. The sources of ROS and their roles in the vascular differentiation of human embryonic stem cells were investigated. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Using DNA-Fragmented Sperm in Mice Negatively Affects Embryo-Derived Embryonic Stem Cells, Reduces the Fertility of Male Offspring and Induces Heritable Changes in Epialleles
Investigators examined whether embryonic stem cells derived from DNA-fragmented sperm (DFS)-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryos reflect the abnormalities observed in the DFS-ICSI progeny, the effect of DFS-ICSI on male fertility and whether DFS-ICSI induces epigenetic changes that lead to a modified heritable phenotype. [PLoS One] Full Article

SIRT1 Is Necessary for Proficient Telomere Elongation and Genomic Stability of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Because telomere elongation is an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) hallmark, scientists set out to study the role of SIRT1 in pluripotency in the setting of murine embryonic fibroblasts reprogramming into iPSCs. They found that SIRT1 is required for efficient postreprogramming telomere elongation, and that this effect is mediated by a c-MYC-dependent regulation of the mTert gene. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field.

NeoStem Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire California Stem Cell, Inc.
NeoStem, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire California Stem Cell, Inc. As a result of this acquisition, NeoStem plans to initiate a Phase III trial of Melapuldencel-T, an autologous melanoma initiating (stem) cell immune based therapy intended to eliminate the tumor cells capable of causing disease recurrence. [NeoStem, Inc.] Press Release

From our sponsor: Pluripotent cell isolation for regenerative medicine. Request a free wallchart from Nature.

U.S. Biomedical Research ‘Unsustainable,’ Prominent Researchers Warn
The U.S. biomedical science system “is on an unsustainable path” and needs major reform, four prominent researchers write in an opinion piece published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Report

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the ESC & iPSC community.

Full Professor – Stem Cell Research (HUST Tongji Medical College)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology (Yale Stem Cell Center)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Research Officer – Stem Cell Research (Bioprocessing Technology Institute)

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)

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)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (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.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.