| TOP STORY |
Functional Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells on a Chip
The authors described a robust microfluidics-based approach for the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells directly on a chip. Extrinsic signal modulation, achieved through optimal frequency of medium delivery, can be used as a parameter for improved germ layer specification and cell differentiation. [Nat Methods] Abstract |
|
| PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal) |
Functional Cortical Neurons and Astrocytes From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in 3D Culture
Researchers presented a simple and reproducible 3D culture approach for generating a laminated cerebral cortex-like structure, named human cortical spheroids (hCSs), from pluripotent stem cells. [Nat Methods] Abstract |
Press Release
Mitochondrial E3 Ligase March5 Maintains Stemness of Mouse ES Cells via Suppression of ERK Signaling
Scientists showed that March5, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is involved in maintaining mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell pluripotency. [Nat Commun] Full Article
Distinct Roles of DNMT1-Dependent and -Independent Methylation Patterns in the Genome of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
The authors generated base-resolution DNA methylomes for a series of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) knockout embryonic stem cells, with deep coverage at highly repetitive elements. They showed that DNMT1 and DNMT3a/3b activities work complementarily and simultaneously to establish symmetric CG methylation and CHH (H = A, T or C) methylation. [Genome Biol] Abstract
|
Full Article
mtDNA Mutagenesis Disrupts Pluripotent Stem Cell Function by Altering Redox Signaling
Investigators studied the effect of mtDNA mutagenesis on reprogramming and stemness of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and showed that PSCs select against specific mtDNA mutations, mimicking germline and promoting mtDNA integrity despite their glycolytic metabolism. [Cell Rep] Full Article
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Microvesicles Transmit RNAs and Proteins to Recipient Mature Heart Cells Modulating Cell Fate and Behavior
Scientists found that transfer of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) components by hiPS-derived microvesicles impacted on transcriptome and proteomic profiles of target cells as well as exerted proliferative and protective effects on cardiac mesenchymal cells, and enhanced their cardiac and endothelial differentiation potential. [Stem Cells] Abstract
An Inducible Caspase-9 Suicide Gene to Improve the Safety of Therapy Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists developed a direct and efficient human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) killing system that provides a necessary safety mechanism for therapies using hiPSC. [Mol Ther] Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Reporter Knock-In in Mouse Haploid Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators report the application of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in of a reporter cassette, which does not disrupt endogenous target genes in mouse haploid embryonic stem cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article
Wnt/β-Catenin and MEK-ERK Signaling are Required for Fibroblast-Derived Extracellular Matrix-Mediated Endoderm Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers demonstrated that growth of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) on fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix resulted in hESCs losing their stemness and proliferation potential. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract
A CRISPR/Cas-Mediated Selection-Free Knockin Strategy in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Through the use of iCRISPR, an efficient gene-editing platform recently developed, scientists demonstrated a knockin strategy without drug selection for both active and silent genes in human embryonic stem cells (hESC). Lineage-specific hESC reporter lines are useful for real-time monitoring of cell-fate decisions and lineage tracing, as well as enrichment of specific cell populations during hESC differentiation. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article
|
| INDUSTRY NEWS |
Cancer Genetics Selected to Power Next-Generation Sequencing Services for ReproCELL, a Global Regenerative Medicine Market Leader, in a Multi-Year Agreement
Cancer Genetics, Inc. announced that it was selected by ReproCELL, Inc. to provide next-generation sequencing based services and molecular information to enhance ReproCELL’s translational medicine initiatives. [Cancer Genetics, Inc.] Press Release
Researchers at the Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa and CHEO Awarded $28.5M From the Canada Foundation for Innovation for Research in Regenerative Medicine, Neuroscience and Other Areas
Scientists from The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), will share $28,511,215 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support cutting-edge research in stem cells, pediatric diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. [Ottawa Hospital Research Institute] Press Release
From our sponsor: Learn how to form and isolate neural rosettes more efficiently. Watch the video.
|
| POLICY NEWS |
Sluggish Data Sharing Hampers Reproducibility Effort
An initiative that aims to validate the findings of key cancer papers is being slowed by an unexpected hurdle — problems accessing data from the original studies. [Nature News] Editorial
Global Research Chiefs Seek Ways to Foster Serendipity
How can research funding agencies foster scientific breakthroughs? Funding agency heads tackled that question this week at the annual meeting of the Global Research Council. Their conclusion: Researchers need freedom and the flexibility that leads to serendipity, and they should be encouraged to take risks even if it leads to failure. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
|
|