Discussion

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural cells provide a powerful tool that can be used to model neuronal behaviour and disease pathology. The increased use of these cells in drug discovery promises to help accelerate current drug screening processes and reduce the use of in vivo models used at the earliest stages of testing. Importantly, the production of specific populations, such as cortical and dopaminergic neurons, has allowed researchers to investigate the activity of neural networks from particular regions of the brain. We developed a number of endpoint assays using human iPSC-derived neural stem cells (Axol Bioscience) to determine the functionality of these cells and their response to toxins or disease-relevant biomarkers in both Alzheimer’s disease and Epilepsy. We have also manipulated the cells using Lentivirus and have demonstrated long-term expression of over 9 months. The methods developed offer a platform to facilitate our understanding of normal physiological functions and the causes of central nervous system (CNS) pathology.

Authors: David Nagel1, Naomi Wessel-Carpenter2, Julian George3, Eric Hill1

1. Life and health sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET

2. Axol Bioscience Ltd., Suite 3, Science Village, Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1XL

3. Institute of Biomedical science, University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science
Old Road Campus Research Building, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ

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