Abstract

Drug
discovery programs for central nervous system (CNS) disorders having
increasingly employed model systems with greater physiological relevance. This
strategy is an attempt to reverse high attrition rates seen at all stages of
development. Such efforts include the use of neurons derived from human induced
pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Directed differentiation technology can be used
to generate neuronal subtypes from either normal or disease iPSC lines.
However, these neurons require specific handling to ensure consistent results.
Toward this end, we have implemented a cell culture workflow using human
iPSC-derived spinal (lower) motor neurons and a liquid handling system
(PIPETMAX). As we illustrate here, the system can be used at all workflow points,
including: (1) plate coating and washing, (2) cell seeding, (3) medium
changes/additions, (4) conducting cell viability assays, and (5)
immunocytochemical staining. This system reduces time spent on repetitive tasks
and allows for consistent repetition of cell culture tasks within a complete
workflow.