Volume 6.45 | Nov 16 - ESC & iPSC News

ESC & iPSC News 6.45, November 16, 2011

In this issue: Publications | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs

TOP STORY

Lab-Grown Gland Helps Mice, May Spur Cure for Hormone Disorders
Mouse stem cells were fashioned into a fully functioning pituitary gland for the first time, raising hope that a dozen disorders caused by a defective organ may one day be cured. [Press release from Bloomberg Businessweek discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

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PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

Embryonic Stem Cell–Based Mapping of Developmental Transcriptional Programs
Scientists describe versatile genome-wide analysis of transcription-factor binding sites by combining directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells and inducible expression of tagged proteins. [Nat Methods] Abstract

Uncoupling Protein 2 Regulates Energy Metabolism and Differentiation Potential of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Here, researchers show that human pluripotent stem cells have functional respiratory complexes that are able to consume O₂ at maximal capacity. [EMBO J] Abstract | Press Release

FGF Signaling Inhibits Neural Induction in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators have systematically investigated the specific roles of three signaling pathways, TGFβ/SMAD2, BMP/SMAD1, and FGF/ERK, in promoting the transition of human embryonic stem cells into the neuroectoderm lineage. [EMBO J] Abstract

Cell Cycle Adaptations of Embryonic Stem Cells
Here scientists demonstrate that the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome enzyme is active in embryonic stem cells but attenuated by high levels of the early mitotic inhibitor-1 protein. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Wnt Signaling and a Smad Pathway Blockade Direct the Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Multipotent Neural Crest Cells
Researchers have developed methods for the efficient generation of self-renewing neural crest stem cells that greatly enhance their potential utility in disease modeling and regenerative medicine. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Oct4 Links Multiple Epigenetic Pathways to the Pluripotency Network
Here investigators employed an improved affinity purification approach combined with mass spectrometry to purify Oct4 protein complexes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), and discovered many novel Oct4 partners important for self-renewal and pluripotency of mESCs. [Cell Res] Abstract

Systematic Engineering of 3D Pluripotent Stem Cell Niches to Guide Blood Development
In this study, scientists explored the concept that mimicking the local in vivo microenvironment during mesoderm specification could promote the emergence of hematopoietic progenitor cells from embryonic stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract

HOXB4 Can Enhance the Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells by Modulating the Hematopoietic Niche
Researchers hypothesized that HOXB4 might modulate gene expression in pre-hematopoietic mesoderm and that this property might contribute to its pro-hematopoietic effect in differentiating embryonic stem cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Fate Therapeutics Strengthens its Induced-Pluripotent Stem Cell Platform
Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted a patent covering the novel stem cell modulator commonly known as Thiazovivin. [PR Newswire] Press Release

Geron to Focus on its Novel Cancer Programs
Geron Corporation announced that, effective immediately, the Company will focus on its first-in-class oncology programs. As a consequence, the Company will discontinue further development of its stem cell programs and is seeking partners for these novel assets. [Geron Corporation] Press Release

RNL Opens the World’s Largest Stem Cell Medical Center in Beijing, China
RNL BIO has just founded the world’s largest stem cell medical center in Beijing, China. [MarketWatch] Press Release

$100 Million Gift Establishes Belfer Research Building at Weill Cornell Medical College
In the presence of U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Weill Cornell Medical College dedicated the Belfer Research Building, a state-of-the-art facility that will more than double the Medical College’s existing research space and position Weill Cornell at the vanguard of new medical research and discoveries. [Weill Cornell Medical College] Press Release

POLICY NEWS

Palestinian Membership Puts UN Projects at Risk
Concern is growing that United Nations bodies could face budget crises after the United Nation (UN) agency responsible for science suffered a drastic cut in contributions following a vote in which it admitted the Palestinian Authority as a member. [United Nations, France] Press Release

New NSF Program Sidesteps External Peer Review
U.S. researchers with an unorthodox idea in two or more scientific fields now have the chance to bypass the normal peer-review process at the National Science Foundation (NSF). [National Science Foundation, United States] Press Release

EVENTS

NEW EMBO Molecular Medicine – Molecular Insights for Innovative Therapies
December 1-3, 2011
Heidelberg, Germany

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

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

Lab Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Differentiation Segment (Stemgent, Inc.)

Junior/Senior Research Fellowship in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Masaryk University)

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