ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.38 | Oct 1 2014

OVOL2 Is a Critical Regulator of ER71 in Generating FLK1⁺ Cells, Hematopoietic and Endothelial Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers investigated an altered translation factor in three cell states considered to have reduced general translation: immature Xenopus laevis oocytes, mouse ES cells, and the transition state of proliferating mammalian cells to quiescence upon growth-factor deprivation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Control of Embryonic Stem Cell Identity by BRD4-Dependent Transcriptional Elongation of Super-Enhancer-Associated Pluripotency Genes
Scientists demonstrate that BRD4, a member of the bromodomain and extraterminal domain family of epigenetic readers, regulates the self-renewal ability and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. [Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Induction of the G2/M Transition Stabilizes Haploid Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers developed a parthenogenetic haploid embryonic stem cell culture condition using a small molecular inhibitor of Wee1 kinase to regulate the cell cycle by accelerating the G2/M phase transition and preventing re-entry into extra G1/S phase. [Development] Abstract

DEPTOR Is a Stemness Factor that Regulates Pluripotency of Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists show that DEPTOR plays a key role in maintaining stem cell pluripotency by limiting mTOR activity in undifferentiated embryonic stem cells (ESCs). DEPTOR levels dramatically decrease with differentiation of mouse ESCs and knockdown of DEPTOR is sufficient to promote ESC differentiation. [J Biol Chem]
Abstract | Full Article

Temporal Analysis of Genome Alterations Induced by Single-Cell Passaging in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers prospectively monitored three human embryonic stem cell lines that were initially derived and cultured on human feeders and passaged mechanically before switching to enzymatic single-cell passaging. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Directed Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells Using a Bead-Based Combinatorial Screening Method
The authors describe three experiments comprising stepwise exposure of mouse or human embryonic cells to 10,000 combinations of serum-free differentiation media, through which they discovered multiple novel, efficient and robust protocols to generate a number of specific hematopoietic and neural lineages. [PLoS One]
Full Article | Press Release

Defining Differentially Methylated Regions Specific for the Acquisition of Pluripotency and Maintenance in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells via Microarray
Investigators determined the DNA methylation profiles of ten human cell lines, including two embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines, four virally derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, two episomally derived iPSC lines, and the two parental cell lines from which the iPSCs were derived using Illumina’s Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. [PLoS One] Full Article

Cyclin D1 Acts as a Barrier to Pluripotent Reprogramming by Promoting Neural Progenitor Fate Commitment
Investigators identified Cyclin D1 to be capable of transcriptionally upregulating Pax6, which promoted reprogramming cells to commit to a neural progenitor fate rather than a pluripotent cell fate. [FEBS Lett] Abstract

Single-Cell Cloning and Expansion of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by a Microfluidic Culture Device
Researchers demonstrate that a newly developed microfluidic device helped to improve culture conditions and establish a clonality-validated human pluripotent stem cell line after tracing its growth at the single-cell level. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

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Regeneus’ Osteoarthritis Cell Therapy, HiQCell, to Launch in Singapore
Regeneus Ltd. announced plans to open the HiQCell Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Singapore, and the appointment of leading specialist sports physician, Dr. Patrick Goh, as Medical Director. Through the clinic, Goh will provide patients in Singapore with access to Regeneus’ HiQCell, an innovative cell therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis, with first treatments expected to commence in late 2014. [Regeneus Ltd.] Press Release

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E.U. Research Chief Candidate Passes First Test
Carlos Moedas, the commissioner-designate for research, has won over European parliamentarians in a public hearing. A former secretary of state in Portugal with no research policy background, Moedas came across as competent and well-prepared – but the plans he presented for his possible five-year term remain vague, observers say. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine (Texas Biomedical Research Institute)

PhD Student – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (University College London)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from a Series of Individual Patients with Dravet Syndrome (Pfizer Neusentis)

Postdoctoral Position – Transplantation Aspects of Hepatocytes Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (INSERM UMR 1064)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiac Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiac Animal Surgery (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Hematopoietic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Indiana University 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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