Volume 7.45 | Nov 14

Zscan4 Promotes Genomic Stability during Reprogramming and Dramatically Improves the Quality of iPS Cells as Demonstrated by Tetraploid Complementation
Scientists screened for factors that could decrease DNA damage response (DDR) signals during induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell induction. They determined that Zscan4, in combination with the Yamanaka factors, not only remarkably reduced the DDR but also markedly promoted the efficiency of iPS cell generation. [Cell Res] Full Article

MicroRNA-302 Increases Reprogramming Efficiency via Repression of NR2F2
Researchers used global bioinformatics analysis of microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA microarrays to predict novel miRNA-mRNA interactions in human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

iPS Cell Modeling of Best Disease: Insights into the Pathophysiology of an Inherited Macular Degeneration
Investigators employed human iPS cell technology to generate retinal pigment epithelium from Best disease patients and unaffected siblings in order to examine the cellular and molecular processes underlying this disease. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract | Press Release

Sodium Arsenite Exposure Inhibits AKT and Stat3 Activation, Suppresses Self-Renewal and Induces Apoptotic Death of Embryonic Stem Cells
Data demonstrated suppression of self-renewal and induction of apoptosis in mouse embryonic stem cells by sodium arsenite exposure, which was further accelerated due to simultaneous inhibition of the protective PI3K-AKT and Stat3-dependent pathways. [Apoptosis] Abstract | Full Article

Transforming Pluripotency: An Exon-Level Study of Malignancy-Specific Transcripts in Human Embryonal Carcinoma and Embryonic Stem Cells
To circumvent difficulties of isolating pure populations of cancer stem cells for the purpose of identifying malignancy-specific gene expression, researchers compared exon-resolution transcriptomic profiles of five embryonal carcinoma cell lines, a histological subtype of germ cell tumor, to their non-malignant caricature, specifically six human embryonic stem cell lines. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Apoptosis-Related Gene Expression Profiles of Mouse ESCs and maGSCs: Role of Fgf4 and Mnda in Pluripotent Cell Responses to Genotoxicity
Scientists analyzed the expression of apoptosis-related genes using OligoGEArray in undifferentiated multipotent adult germ-line stem cells (maGSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and identified a similar set of genes expressed in both cell types. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Plasminogen Activation System Modulates Differently Adipogenesis and Myogenesis of Embryonic Stem Cells
Results showed that the plasminogen activation system is capable to specifically modulate adipogenesis and skeletal myogenesis of embryonic stem cells by successive different molecular mechanisms. [PLoS One] Full Article

Shear Stress during Early Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Promotes Hematopoietic and Endothelial Phenotypes
Investigators applied laminar shear stress to differentiating embryonic stem cells using a 2D adherent parallel plate configuration to systematically investigate the effects of several mechanical parameters. [Biotechnol Bioeng] Abstract

Tandem Affinity Purification in Transgenic Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Identifies DDOST as a Novel PPP1CC2 Interacting Protein
To elucidate the function of the Ppp1cc gene researchers sought to identify novel protein-protein interactions. To this aim, they created SBP-3XFLAG-PPP1CC1 and SBP-3XFLAG-PPP1CC2 knock-in mouse embryonic stem cell lines using a gene trap based system. [Biochemistry] Abstract

Ontogenic Development of Cardiomyocytes Derived from Transgene-Free Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Its Homology with Human Heart
Researchers evaluated the developmental ontogeny of cardiomyocytes following induced differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells. [Life Sci] Abstract

Ethnically Diverse Pluripotent Stem Cells for Drug Development
The authors discuss the benefits and challenges of using induced pluripotent stem cells to introduce genetic diversity into the drug development process. [Trends Mol Med] Abstract

Disease Modeling Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Status and Prospects
The ability to convert human somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells is allowing the production of custom-tailored cells for drug discovery and for the study of disease phenotypes at the cellular and molecular level. The authors highlight recent advances in the field and discuss the main challenges associated with this technology as it applies to disease modeling. [Bioessays] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Advanced Cell Technology Announces Interim Data from Its Three Ongoing Macular Degeneration Trials
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. announced that its upcoming conference call on its third quarter financial results will also provide some representative examples of data being collected from patients in its clinical trials for forms of macular degeneration. The Company has treated 13 patients thus far in its three ongoing trials for dry age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt’s Disease using human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

Tissue Regeneration at Heart of New Institute
The emerging field of tissue regeneration, which harnesses the power and healing potential of stem cells, is an area to which scientists around the world are turning their attention. One of the foremost leaders in this area, Mark Sussman from San Diego State University (SDSU), announced the opening of SDSU’s new Integrated Regenerative Research Institute to help advance this area of research in San Diego. [San Diego State University] Press Release

European Court Bans Patents Based on Embryo Destruction
The highest court in Europe ruled that stem cell research based on the destruction of human embryos is contrary to morality and cannot be patented. The Court of Justice of the European Union sided with arguments by its advocate general, who earlier this year termed stem cell patents “contrary to ethics and public policy.” [The Court of Justice, European Union] Press Release

£20 Million Investment for UK Synthetic Biology Research
In a move that could potentially revolutionize major UK industries and help us to meet serious social and environmental challenges, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has announced an unprecedented £20M worth of synthetic biology projects. [Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, United Kingdom] Press Release

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Product Manager – Hematopoietic (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Stem Cell Researcher (BioTalentum Ltd.)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Stem Cell Tissue Engineering (Stanford University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

PhD Student – Biochemical Analysis of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Differentiation (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Position – Functional Genomics of ESCs & iPSCs (University of Cologne)

Experienced Researcher (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Genomics (University of Virginia)


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