Volume 11.01 | Jan 13 - ESC & iPSC News

ESC & iPSC News 11.01 January 13, 2016

TOP STORY

Squeezing Cells into Stem Cells
Scientists have developed a gel that boosts the ability of cell reprogramming into stem cells by “squeezing” them into shape with a 3D gel. The new technique can also be easily scaled up to produce stem cells for various applications on an industrial scale. [Press release from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne discussing online prepublication in Nature Materials] Press Release | Abstract

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Parallel Single-Cell Sequencing Links Transcriptional and Epigenetic Heterogeneity
Researchers report scM&T-seq, a method for parallel single-cell genome-wide methylome and transcriptome sequencing that allows for the discovery of associations between transcriptional and epigenetic variation. Profiling of 61 mouse embryonic stem cells confirmed known links between DNA methylation and transcription. [Nat Methods] Abstract

FOXD3 Regulates Pluripotent Stem Cell Potential by Simultaneously Initiating and Repressing Enhancer Activity
Scientists evaluated regulation of enhancer activity during differentiation of embryonic stem to epiblast cells and uncovered the forkhead transcription factor FOXD3 as a major regulator of the developmental potential of both pluripotent states. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Pluripotency-Associated miR-290/302 Family of MicroRNAs Promote the Dismantling of Naive Pluripotency
Investigators revealed microRNAs (miRNAs) as an important class of regulators potentiating embryonic stem cells to transition from naive to primed pluripotency, and uncovers context-dependent functions of the miR-290/302 family of miRNAs at different developmental stages. [Cell Res] Full Article

Reprogramming Triggers Endogenous L1 and Alu Retrotransposition in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists applied retrotransposon capture sequencing to eight human induced pluripotent stem cells lines and three human embryonic stem cell lines, revealing endogenous LINE-1 (L1), Alu and SINE-VNTR-Alu mobilization during reprogramming and pluripotent stem cell cultivation. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Enhanced Engraftment, Proliferation, and Therapeutic Potential in Heart Using Optimized Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes
To optimize graft cells for cardiac reconstruction, investigators compared the engraftment efficiency of intramyocardially-injected undifferentiated-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), day 4 mesodermal cells, and day 8, day 20, and day 30 purified iPSC-cardiomyocytes after initial differentiation by tracing the engraftment ratio using in vivo bioluminescence imaging. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release

BMP Sustains Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal through Distinct Functions of Different Krüppel-like Factors
The authors examined the roles of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 using mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) in naive and primed states. SMAD1 and SMAD5, which transduce BMP signals, recognize enhancer regions together with KLF4 and KLF5 in naive mESCs. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Overcoming Pluripotent Stem Cell Dependence on the Repair of Endogenous DNA Damage
Investigators reveal that pluripotent stem cells possess hyperactive CHK1 signaling that restricts their self-renewal in the absence of error-free DNA repair. [Stem Cell Reports]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Regulation of c-Myc Expression by Ahnak Promotes Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generation
Researchers showed that inhibition of Ahnak can promote generation of induced pluripotent stem cells via up-regulation of endogenous c-Myc. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Expression of Ribosomal RNA and Protein Genes in Human Embryonic Stem Cells Is Associated with the Activating H3K4me3 Histone Mark
Investigators tested the hypothesis that expression of ribosomal RNA and ribosomal protein genes contribute to the ability of human embryonic stem cells to proliferate indefinitely. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Learn more: New STEMdiff™ Differentiation and Maturation Kits

REVIEWS

A Dual Role of Erk Signaling in Embryonic Stem Cells
The authors summarize recent progress in understanding the role of Erk signaling in pluripotency maintenance, discuss the dual role of Erk in mouse embryonic stem cells, and provide explanations for the conflicting data regarding Mek inhibition and Erk knockout. [Exp Hematol] Abstract

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

INDUSTRY NEWS

Clontech Laboratories, Inc. Releases a New Powerful Delivery Technology for CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing
Clontech Laboratories, Inc. announced the launch of the Guide-it™ CRISPR/Cas9 Gesicle Production System. This system provides an innovative method to deliver Cas9/single guide RNA ribonucleoprotein complexes to a broad range of cell types. [Clontech Laboratories, Inc.] Press Release

GE Healthcare, FedDev Ontario Commit CAD $40 Million for New CCRM Led Center to Solve Cell Therapy Manufacturing Challenges
GE Healthcare, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and the Center for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) are building a center for advanced therapeutic cell technologies in Toronto with an investment of $40 million from GE and FedDev Ontario. [Center for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

From our sponsor: Learn about air-liquid interface culture for respiratory research. Watch the video.

POLICY NEWS

Bitter Fight over CRISPR Patent Heats Up
A versatile technique for editing genomes has been called the biggest biotechnology advance since the polymerase chain reaction, and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is set to determine who will reap the rewards. The USPTO granted a request to review a key patent awarded for the technique, known as CRISPR–Cas9. [Nature News] Editorial

Cashing in on Transparency in Science
Psychologist Brian Nosek believes that reproducibility is a core principle of science. To promote the idea, he co-founded a nonprofit organization in 2013 that allows scientists to publish a description of their experiments before they conduct them. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

EVENTS

NEW The Stem Cell Niche 2016
May 22-26, 2016
Hillerod, Denmark

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

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell and Developmental Biology (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (Krembil Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (University of Cambridge)

Science Content Writer (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Stem Cell Production Scientist (Definigen Ltd)

Scientist – Cell Biology (Semma Therapeutics)

PhD Candidate – Embryonic Stem Cell and Molecular Research (Ghent University)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Regenerative Kidney Research (University of Montreal)

Assistant, Associate or Full Professor – Regenerative Vision Research (University of Montreal)

Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Scientist – Epigenomics and Systems Biology (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in ESC & iPSC News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here

Learn more about ESC & iPSC News: Archives | Events | Contact Us