The human cell culture specialists showcase innovative tools and applications for disease modelling and drug discovery
Cambridge, UK, 1 June 2016: Axol Bioscience, a biotechnology company specialising in the supply of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cells has expanded its range of drug discovery and disease modelling tools. Axol will launch three exciting products at International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2016 taking place in San Francisco, CA from 22 – 25 June. This includes: Human iPSC-Derived Atrial Cardiomyocytes, Human iPSC-Derived Endothelial Colony Forming Cells (ECFCs) and axolGEMs (Genetically Edited Models), Axol’s new range of isogenic human iPSC-derived cells carrying disease-relevant mutations developed in partnership with Horizon Discovery plc. Axol and its collaborators will also be presenting an Innovation Showcase and posters highlighting the characteristics and functional applications of its human iPSC-derived neural cells and cardiomyocytes.
Axol Launches Expanded Range of Human iPSC-Derived Cells at ISSCR 2016
Human iPSC-Derived Atrial Cardiomyocytes Atrial cardiomyocytes are key for the study of atrial fibrillation such as irregular heart rate. Using its in-house expertise in directed differentiation, Axol has developed iPSC-Derived Atrial Cardiomyocytes. It is anticipated that the launch of this product will be a world first. All Axol iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes are compatible with its fully defined, serum-free Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocyte Maintenance Medium offering researchers a complete portfolio of complementary cell types and culture reagents for disease modelling and cardiotoxicity testing.
Human iPSC-Derived Endothelial Colony Forming Cells (ECFCs) Using the methodology from Indiana University published in Nature Biotechnology (Prasainet al., 2014), Axol has developed iPSC-Derived ECFCs. These are highly expandable, well characterised and exhibit physiologically representative responses that are of benefit for modelling angiogenesis and endothelial function in healthy and disease states.
axolGEMs (Genetically Edited Models) Axol and Horizon Discovery (Cambridge, UK) have combined the powerful tools of iPSC gene editing and directed differentiation, to generate a range of isogenic Human iPSC-Derived Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) with disease-relevant mutations. This includes cells carrying the Alzheimer’s disease-associated microtubule-associated protein TAU (MAPT) mutations, P301L, V337M and R406W and the Parkinson’s disease-associated leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutation, G2019S. All axolGEM mutations are available as either homozygotes or heterozygotes and have an isogenic control available. All axolGEM iPSC-Derived NSCs can be expanded, differentiated and maintained using the fully defined, Xeno-Free Neural Cell Culture System.
Sanj Kumar, Chief Business Officer, Axol Bioscience said: ‘Biologically relevant disease models represent the next paradigm change in the study of neurodegenerative conditions. Currently, there are a lack of human isogenic models in which to study some of the most common features of Alzheimer’s disease such as TAU aggregation. To address this, we’ve combined our expertise in reprogramming and neural differentiation with Horizon’s broad gene editing platform and extensive experience in developing cell-based disease models to produce one of the world’s first commercially available isogenic neural stem cells with disease-relevant mutations.’
Axol to Present Innovation Showcase and Posters at ISSCR 2016
Ikuro Suzuki, Associate Professor at Tohoku Institute of Technology, Japan who recently published his work with Axol Human iPSC-Derived Cerebral Cortical Neurons in Nature’s Scientific Reports (Odawara et al., 2016), will present the Axol Bioscience Innovation Showcase in collaboration with Alpha MED Scientific titled ‘Electrophysiological Maturation and Pharmacological Responses of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cortical Neuronal Networks in Long-Term Culture’ on Friday 24 June 2016 8:00am – 8:30am in room 2002 on level 2.
Axol will also present several posters demonstrating the use of its iPSC-derived cells and culture systems in the following applications:
• Poster W2028 ‘Functional Phenotypic Characterization of iPSC-Neurons from Alzheimer’s Disease Patients Carrying PS-1 Mutation in Drug Screening and Disease Modeling’ will be presented in the ‘Neural Cells’ section from 7:30pm – 8:30pm on 22 June 2016.
• Poster T2106 ‘Induction of Plasticity Phenomena in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cortical Neurons’ and poster T2114 ‘Functional Maturation and Drug Responses of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cortical Neuronal Networks in Long-Term Culture’ will be presented in the ‘iPS Cells’ section from 7:00pm – 8:00pm on 23 June 2016.
• Poster T1068 ‘Serum-Free Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Contactless in Vitro Testing’ will be presented in the ‘Cardiac Cells’ section from 7:00pm – 8:00pm on 23 June 2016.
• Poster F2143 ‘Modelling Neurological Disease: In-Vitro Gene Editing and iPSC Differentiation Combine to Create Powerful New Tools’ will be presented in the ‘iPS Cells: Directed Differentiation’ section from 6:00pm – 7:00pm on 24 June 2016.
Meet Axol Stem Cell Experts at ISSCR 2016
Axol invites all ISSCR 2016 attendees wanting to discover more about how its range of human cell culture products and services can be used in disease modelling and drug discovery applications to visit booth #1612, Innovation Showcase and poster presentation sessions.
Press enquiries
Dr Michelle Ricketts
Axol Bioscience
T: +44 1223 751051
E: m.ricketts@axolbio.com
W: www.axolbio.com
NOTES TO EDITOR
About Axol Bioscience
Axol was co-founded by Jonathan Milner, PhD and Yichen Shi, PhD whose combined expertise and entrepreneurial spirit was the driving force behind the creation of Axol – where innovation, quality and customer service are key. Axol produces highly validated, human cells and critical reagents such as media and growth supplements. The Axol team is passionate about great science, delivering superb customer service and support and innovating future products to help customers advance their research faster. To find out more, visit www.axolbio.com
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