ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.17 | May 7 2014

Rescue of Embryonic Stem Cells from Cellular Transformation by Proteomic Stabilization of Mutant p53 and Conversion into WT Conformation
Investigators found that, despite harboring mutant p53, ES cells (ESCs) remain pluripotent and benign and have relatively normal karyotype compared with ESCs knocked out for p53. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

3D Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Culture for Generating Inner Ear Organoids
Scientists designated the stem cell-derived epithelia harboring hair cells, supporting cells and sensory-like neurons as inner ear organoids. This method provides a reproducible and scalable means to generate inner ear sensory tissue in vitro. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Optimizing Human Embryonic Stem Cells Differentiation Efficiency by Screening Size-Tunable Homogenous Embryoid Bodies
Investigators fabricated size-tunable concave microwells to control the physical environment, thereby regulating the size of embryoid bodies formed from single human embryonic stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocytes and Endothelial Cells in Multi-Component Hydrogel Fibers for Liver Tissue Engineering
Previously, the authors developed methods of encapsulating cells within separate domains in multi-component hydrogel fibers and methods of assembling fibers to form 3D-patterned tissue constructs. They combined these approaches to encapsulate hepatocytes and endothelial cells within their specific niches, and to assemble them into endothelialized liver tissue constructs. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy Improves Bone Quality in a Model of Impaired Fracture Healing in the Mouse; Tracked Temporally Using In Vivo Micro-CT
Investigators used an estrogen-deficient mouse model of osteoporosis to test the efficacy of a cell-generated bone tissue construct for bone augmentation of an impaired healing fracture. A reduction in new bone formation at the defect site was observed in ovariectomized fractures compared to the control group using repeated measures in vivo micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging over four weeks. [Bone] Abstract

Recombinase-Mediated Reprogramming and Dystrophin Gene Addition in mdx Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers employed non-viral, plasmid-mediated methods to reprogram mdx fibroblasts, using phiC31 integrase to insert a single copy of the reprogramming genes at a safe location in the genome. [PLoS One]
Full Article

Functional Evaluation of ES-Somatic Cell Hybrids In Vitro and In Vivo
Researchers determined that the somatic genome is actively transcribed by generating ES-somatic cell hybrids using Rag2-deficient embryonic stem cells (ESCs) fused to autologous wild-type somatic cells. [Cell Reprogram] Abstract

Fate of iPSCs Derived from Azoospermic and Fertile Men following Xenotransplantation to Murine Seminiferous Tubules
Undifferentiated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) transplanted directly into murine seminiferous tubules differentiated extensively to germ-cell-like cells that localized near the basement membrane, demonstrated morphology indistinguishable from fetal germ cells, and expressed germ-cell-specific proteins diagnostic of primordial germ cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

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C. Randal Mills Named as New President of California’s Stem Cell Agency
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine appointed C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Mills, the former President and CEO of Osiris Therapeutics, was selected by the agency’s governing board, the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

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White House Science Adviser Criticizes FIRST Act
Pending legislation to alter the grantmaking process at the National Science Foundation (NSF) “would have an extraordinarily unfortunate effect” on the $7 billion research agency, presidential science adviser John Holdren said. Holdren’s comments are the first public reaction from the White House to the Frontiers in Innovation, Research, Science, and Technology (FIRST) Act, a 2-year reauthorization of NSF programs that is expected to be approved by the science committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

U.K. Looks to Scrap Confidentiality Rules for Animal Research
The United Kingdom has proposed lifting outdated confidentiality rules that ban the release of information about animal research. Under Section 24 of the 1986 Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, the Home Office cannot release any information about animal research carried out in the country. Both animal rights groups and researchers using animals have praised the proposal as a step in the right direction. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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Postdoctoral Position – Functional Characterization of Neurons Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (Radboud University Nijmegen)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Basic and Translational Neuroscience/Stem Cell Research (University of California, Davis)

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

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

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

Stem Cell Research Technician (Van Andel Research Institute)

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

Research Technologist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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

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