Technology ID
TAB-3497
Rapid and Robust Differentiation of Human iPSCs into Motor Neurons
E-Numbers
E-001-2020-0
Lead Inventor
Grunseich, Christopher (NINDS)
Co-Inventors
Ward, Michael (NINDS)
Applications
Therapeutics
Research Materials
Therapeutic Areas
Ophthalmology
Oncology
Infectious Disease
Endocrinology
Dental
Cardiology
Lead IC
NINDS
ICs
NINDS
This technology includes a system that allows for robust differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into motor neurons within a time frame of 7 to 10 days. To differentiate the iPSC, a stable transgene is inserted into the CLYBL safe harbor locus in the human genome using TALENs. The transgene allows for doxycycline-inducible expression of the transcription factors (NGN2, ISL1, and LHX3) that are needed for the cells to differentiate to motor neurons.
The technology is described in detail in the protocol paper published by Fernandopulle et al, cited below. We knocked in a doxycycline-inducible transgene cassette into the CLYBI safe harbor locus of iPSCs using TALENs. The cassette drives expression of human NGN2, Isl1, and LXZH3, separated by 2A linker peptides. The targeting vector was a heavily-modified version of a CLYBL targeting vector from Mahendra Rao’s lab at the NIH (essentially, only the homology arms of the original vector were used). The plasmids introduced into the WTC11 and then clones that harbored the transcription factor cassette were selected.
The system allows for robust differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into motor neuron cells with an efficient time frame of 7 to 10 days. The system also allows for large scale preparation of motor neurons with few media changes. To differentiate the iPSC, a stable transgene is inserted into the CLYBL safe harbor locus in the human genome. The transgene allows for doxycycline inducible expression of the transcription factors (NGN2, ISL1, and LHX3) that are needed for the cells to differentiate to motor neuron.
Commercial Applications
The system also allows for large scale preparation of motor neurons in a short time frame with few media changes.
Competitive Advantages
This technology permits for robust differentiation in a short time frame (7-10 days) requiring fewer media changes and expensive small molecules. Differentiation can be scaled according to the needs to the user to achieve large numbers of differentiated cells. Differentiation is also from a well-defined clone of cells containing the transgene, which allows more reproducible differentiation between different experiments.
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