ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.32 | Aug 20 2014

Nanovesicles Engineered from ES Cells for Enhanced Cell Proliferation
Research on exosomes is limited by their rarity and heterogeneity even after lengthy isolation processes. In particular, these limitations are challenging in therapeutic applications. To meet these demands, cell-derived nanovesicles that mimic exosomes were generated by extruding living embryonic stem (ES) cells through micro-filters. [Biomaterials] Abstract

The Organophosphorus Pesticide Chlorpyrifos and Its Metabolites Alter the Expression of Biomarker Genes of Differentiation in D3 Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in a Comparable Way to Other Model Neurodevelopmental Toxicants
The authors previously reported alterations in the pattern of expression of biomarker genes of differentiation in D3 mouse embryonic stem cells caused by chlorpyrifos and its metabolites chlorpyrifos-oxon and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol. Now, they reanalyzed these data comparing the effects on these genes with those caused in the same genes by retinoic acid, valproic acid and penicillin-G (model compounds considered as strong, weak and non-neurodevelopmental toxicants, respectively). [Chem Res Toxicol] Abstract

A Site-Specific Integrated Col2.3GFP Reporter Identifies Osteoblasts Within Mineralized Tissue Formed In Vivo by Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators used zinc finger nuclease technology to deliver a construct containing the Col2.3 promoter driving GFPemerald to the AAVS1 site in human embryonic stem cells with the goal of marking the cells that have become differentiated osteoblasts. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Cost-Effective Master Cell Bank Validation of Multiple Clinical-Grade Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines from a Single Donor
In order to realize the full potential of stem cell therapy, validation criteria, methodology, and, most importantly, strategy, should address the shortfalls and efficiency of current approaches. Investigators addressed the protocols for testing cell lines for human viral pathogens and propose a novel strategy that would significantly reduce costs. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Exploring the Mechanisms of Differentiation, Dedifferentiation, Reprogramming and Transdifferentiation
Scientists show that under three driving forces, the direct transdifferentiation process proceeds from a differentiated cell valley to another differentiated cell valley through either a distinct stable intermediate state or a certain series of unstable indeterminate states. [PLoS One] Full Article

CAR Expression in Human Embryos and hESC Illustrates Its Role in Pluripotency and Tight Junctions
Scientists investigated the expression of coxsackie virus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) in human preimplantation embryos and embryonic stem cells (hESC) to identify its role in early embryogenesis and differentiation. [Reproduction] Abstract

Generation of Intermediate Porcine iPS Cells under Culture Condition Favorable for Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition
Researchers investigated whether intermediate pluripotent states could be available by manipulating the culture condition during the process of generating pig induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

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

Human Longevity, Inc. and Celgene Cellular Therapeutics Sign License Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Placental Stem Cell Population, PSC-100 for Multiple Therapeutic Applications
Human Longevity, Inc. announced it has signed an agreement with Celgene Cellular Therapeutics to license, develop, and co-promote Celgene’s proprietary placental cell population, PSC-100. [Human Longevity, Inc.] Press Release

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WHO Ponders Treating Ebola-Infected People with Blood of Survivors
As the Ebola outbreaks rages on in West Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO), desperate for a way to help infected people, is reconsidering a potential Ebola treatment tried as far back as 1976, after the first documented outbreak of the deadly viral disease: using the blood of people who have recovered from an infection to treat those still fighting the virus. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Hematopoietic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Indiana University School of Medicine)

Research Technician – Maintenance of Embryonic Stem Cell Lines, Electroporation and Subcloning (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Correction of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Generated from Patients with Hematologic Genetic Disease (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – The Role of Nuclear Organization in Reprogramming the Embryonic Genome (Hubrecht Institute)

PhD Studentship – Epigenetic Control of Cell Identity (Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Technical Account Manager (GlobalStem)

Stem Cell Research Assistant – iPSC Biology and Genome Editing (Stem Cell Theranostics)

Stem Cell Research Scientist – iPSC Reprogramming and Disease Modeling (Stem Cell Theranostics)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Proteomic Analysis of the Differentiation of Human ESCs or iPSCs (Cornell University)

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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