This paper contains multiple duplicated Western blot bands and DNA bands. These assays represent the controls for shRNAs used in the rest of the paper.











Duplicated bands:
Group A: Fig 1c Erk2 Empty vector and bmi-1 shRNA 3'UTR, Fig 4a Erk2 p21 shRNA-1
Group B: Fig 1c Erk2 bmi-1 shRNA ORF and pUbqC-Bmi-1, Fig 4a Erk2 p21 shRNA-2
Group C: Fig 1c Bmi-1 pUbqC-Bmi-1, Fig 4a Erk2 EV-Control
Group D: Fig 4b Bmi-1 Bmi-1+p21 shRNAs, EV-Control, Bmi-1 shRNA, Bmi-1+lnk4a/Arf shRNA
Group E: Fig 4b GAPDH p21 shRNA, lnk4a/Arf shRNA, and Bmi-1+lnk4a/Arf shRNA
Group F:Fig 4b GAPDH EV-Control and Bmi-1 shRNA, and Bmi-1 shRNA
Group G: Fig 4b lnk4a/Arf lnk4a/Arf shrNA and Bmi-1+lnk4a/Arf shRNA


Bands in dashed boxes with italicized labels in groups D, E, and F are not pixel for pixel matches with other bands, but share significant features, and appear to derive from the same source band.

Fig. 4b Row 2 Bmi-1 EV-Control and lnk4a/Arf shRNA additionally appear similar, but looking at them closely, it's hard to tell, so I left them out of the illustrating figure.

*edited to add splice arrows, and bands missed the first time around

You can also check out the Genes Dev from 2009. Fig 5B, the Foxg1 band of E11/shRNA and Foxg1 of Adult/Control are similar after flipping either of them. Fig 2C and 6C also similar after flipping either of them.

Hi all, this is Chris Fasano. Thank you for pointing out the careless mistake. We have blinded experiments under way to test that the findings are robust and are working with relevant parties to remedy the situation. A detailed update will be provided when the experiments have completed. Best, Chris.

Scientist’s stem cell research suspended amid probe

http://nypost.com/2016/03/07/scientists-stem-cell-research-suspended-amid-probe/

Retraction, 1 June 2023: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1934590923001790

"This article has been retracted at the request of the authors. This article reported that the p21-Rb pathway is important for neural stem cell self-renewal revealed upon Bmi1 knockdown. The authors were alerted by readers that Figure 1C and Figures 4A and 4B included repeatedly used bands, which called into question the validation of knockdown and overexpression constructs and the interaction between Bmi1, p21, and Ink4a/Arf. The Regenerative Research Foundation conducted an investigation following its policies and the NIH Office of Research Integrity guidelines and determined that there had been image manipulation in these figures. Given these circumstances, the authors believe that the most responsible course of action is to retract the paper. The authors sincerely apologize to the scientific community for any problems encountered due to the publication and retraction of this manuscript. N.B.I., N.L., J.T.D., and S.T. agreed with and signed the retraction notice. I.R.L. is deceased. C.A.F. did not agree with the retraction."