The human cell culture specialists showcase innovative tools and applications for disease modelling and drug discovery

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. 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.

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 (Prasain et 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.’

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