ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.18 | May 14 2014

sRNA-Seq Analysis of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Definitive Endoderm Reveal Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs and Novel IsomiRs with Distinct Targets
Next generation sequencing was employed to build upon a previous analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression in human embryonic stem cells and definitive endoderm (DE). From millions of sequencing reads, 747 and 734 annotated miRNAs were identified in pluripotent and DE cells, respectively, including 77 differentially expressed miRNAs. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Selection via Pluripotency-Related Transcriptional Screen Minimizes the Influence of Somatic Origin on iPSC Differentiation Propensity
Doxycycline-induced induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) consistently demonstrated earlier differentiation than lentiviral-reprogrammed lines using contractile cardiac tissue as a measure of functional differentiation. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Therapeutic Effects of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Chimeric Mice with Beta-Thalassemia
Using chimera models, the authors investigated changes in various pathological indices including hematological parameters and tissue pathology. Their data showed that when the chimerism of β654 induced pluripotent stem cells with the normal human β-globin gene in β654 mice is over 30%, the pathology of anemia appeared to be reversed, while chimerism ranging from 8% to 16% provided little improvement in the typical β-thalassemia phenotype. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article

Xist Deficiency and Disorders of X-Inactivation in Rabbit Embryonic Stem Cells Can Be Rescued by Transcription Factors Mediated Conversion
Scientists investigated three female rabbit embryonic stem cell lines and found that two of them expressed X-inactive specific transcript (Xist) normally and obtained both Xist RNA coating and H3K27me3 foci, thus defined as XiXistXa. [Stem Cell Dev] Abstract

Retinoic Acid and Histone Deacetylases Regulate Epigenetic Changes in Embryonic Stem Cells
Using chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments investigators showed that in embryonic stem cells in the absence of retinoic acid (RA), histone deacetylases differentially bind to various Retinoic Acid Response Elements (RAREs) in gene promoter or enhancer regions of RA-regulated genes; HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3 bind at RAREs in the Hoxa1 and Cyp26a1 gene regulatory regions, whereas only HDAC1 binds at the RARβ2 RARE. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Coculture with Embryonic Stem Cells Improves Neural Differentiation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells secrete some soluble factors which may affect the differentiation potential of adult stem cells toward different lineages. Investigators evaluated neural differentiation of mouse adipose tissue-derived stem cells following coculture with ES cells. [J Neurosci] Abstract

Temporal Perturbation of the Wnt Signaling Pathway in the Control of Cell Reprogramming Is Modulated by TCFI
Scientists show that Wnt/β-catenin signaling needs to be off during the early reprogramming phases of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) into iPSCs. In MEFs undergoing reprogramming, senescence genes are repressed and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition is favored. [Stem Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

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Xcelthera Inc. Secures First U.S. Patent for Large-Scale Production of High Quality Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Their Neuronal and Heart Muscle Cell Therapy Products
Xcelthera Inc. and its joint research partner San Diego Regenerative Medicine Institute announced the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted Patent No. 8,716,017 entitled “Technologies, Methods, and Products of Small Molecule-Directed Tissue and Organ Regeneration from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells”. [Xcelthera Inc.] Press Release

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Misconduct Verdict Stands for Japanese Stem-Cell Researcher
The RIKEN institute confirmed reports that it would turn down Haruko Obokata’s request for a re-examination of her case, and advised her to retract two Nature papers she published in January. [Nature News] Editorial

U.S. House Passes Permanent R&D Tax Credit
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would permanently extend a popular tax break for companies investing in research. Despite strong bipartisan support, however, the proposal appears unlikely to become law – at least not this year. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetics, Stem Cell Biology and Heart Development (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research)

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)

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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