ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.24 | Jun 25 2014

Evolutionally Dynamic L1 Regulation in Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists demonstrate that in human embryonic stem cells, KAP1 (KRAB [Krüppel-associated box domain]-associated protein 1), the master cofactor of KRAB-containing zinc finger proteins previously implicated in the restriction of endogenous retroviruses, represses a discrete subset of long interspersed element-1 (L1) lineages predicted to have entered the ancestral genome between 26.8 million and 7.6 million years ago. [Genes Dev] Abstract

Generation of Multipotent Early Lymphoid Progenitors from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Using a two-step culture procedure investigators identified two original populations of embryonic stem cell-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells with CD34⁺CD45RA⁺CD7^– and CD34⁺CD45RA⁺CD7⁺ phenotypes. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Drp1 Is Dispensable for Mitochondria Biogenesis in Induction to Pluripotency but Required for Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells
The authors tested the role of Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) in the induction and maintenance of pluripotency. They showed that Drp1 band shift occurs in ES cells and iPS cells induced from fibroblasts, in association with mitochondrial morphogenesis. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Genome-Wide Mapping of miRNAs Expressed in Embryonic Stem Cells and Pluripotent Stem Cells Generated by Different Reprogramming Strategies
Scientists demonstrate that reprogrammed cells (induced pluripotent stem cells and nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells [ESCs]) have unique microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns compared with ESCs. [BMC Genomics] Abstract | Full Article

Mechanism of SB431542 in Inhibiting Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Considering that SB431542 (SB) could not maintain embryonic stem cells pluripotency when leukemia inhibitory factor was withdrawn, scientists sought to identify the mechanism of SB on pluripotent maintenance. [Cell Signal] Abstract

High Efficiency Differentiation of Functional Hepatocytes from Porcine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from porcine ear fibroblasts by overexpressing Sox2, Klf4, Oct4, and c-Myc, and developed a novel strategy for the efficient differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells from porcine iPSCs by following the processes of early liver development. [PLoS One] Full Article

Generation of the SCN1A Epilepsy Mutation in hiPS Cells Using the TALEN Technique
Combining the Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease (TALEN) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell methods, scientists developed two iPS cell lines by generating the point mutation A5768G in the SCN1A gene, which encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.1 α subunit. [Sci Rep] Full Article

CCL2 Enhances Pluripotency of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by Activating Hypoxia Related Genes
Scientists show that chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) enhances the expression of pluripotent marker genes through the phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 protein. [Sci Rep]
Full Article | Press Release

A Method to Identify and Isolate Pluripotent Human Stem Cells and Mouse Epiblast Stem Cells Using Lipid Body-Associated Retinyl Ester Fluorescence
Researchers describe the use of a characteristic blue fluorescence to identify and isolate pluripotent human embryonic stem cells and human-induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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Yale Stem Cell Researchers Receive $5.6 Million in State Grants
Yale researchers received a total of $5.6 million for stem cell research out of $10 million given to 18 state-based researchers. The largest sum, $1.2 million, is a group grant given to Yale University, led by principal investigator Joseph Craft, for research into the therapeutic role of induced pluripotent stem cells in human lupus, an autoimmune disease. [The New Haven Register] Article

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Stem Cells: Taking a Stand against Pseudoscience
Elena Cattaneo and Gilberto Corbellini are among the academics working to protect patients from questionable stem-cell therapies. They share their experiences and opinions of the long, hard fight for evidence to prevail. [Nature News] Editorial

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Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell Biology (State University of New York)

Postdoctoral Position – Studying RNA and Heart Biology Using Human Stem Cells (University of Pittsburgh)

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

Postdoctoral Researcher – Hematopoietic Stem Cells as Well as on Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (KU Leuven)

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

PhD Studentship – Molecular Mechanism of Asymmetric Stem Cell Division (King’s College London)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Reproductive Sciences/Embryonic Development (University of Maryland)

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

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

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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