AMSBIO announces ec23®* - a stable synthetic retinoid that has been proven in independent testing** to potently induce and reliably control stem cell differentiation.

Stem cells self renew and have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types. They represent a valuable renewable resource from which functional tissues can be derived. Such materials can subsequently be used for research, disease modeling, drug testing and ultimately therapeutic applications.

Controlling cell differentiation in a predictable way is a major challenge in stem cell research. Although natural retinoids such as All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) can be used to trigger neuronal stem cell differentiation, they are inherently unstable, leading to partially differentiated cultures and variable results. ec23®, which remains chemically and physically stable under normal laboratory conditions, overcomes these challenges and offers additional useful features for stem cell differentiation.

ec23® enables the robust and reproducible differentiation of stem cells and progenitor cells. With higher stability in tissue culture medium and more potency as a differentiation factor than retinoic acid,  ec23® produces down regulation of markers associated with the pluripotent stem cell phenotype and increased expression of differentiation markers. The differentiation of neural tissues is clearly observed and additionally ec23® has been noted to trigger digit duplication during targeted release in the chick embryo, underlining its potency as a regulator of tissue development.

As a potent inducer of neurogenesis - ec23® maximizes the consistency and efficiency of neural stem cell differentiation and opens up a wealth of applications in basic research screening, toxicological testing and disease modeling.

For further information please visit www.amsbio.com/ec23-synthetic-retinoid-ATRA.aspx or contact AMSBIO on +44-1235-828200 / +1-949-265-7717 or email info@amsbio.com.

Founded in 1987, AMS Biotechnology (AMSBIO) is recognized as a leading international provider of unique & innovative products & custom services for life sciences research. The AMSBIO range includes over 23,000 polyclonal & monoclonal antibodies, peptides, recombinant proteins, extracellular matrix, molecular detection reagents, & tissue, DNA, RNA, protein & microarray products. Key research areas include: apoptosis, cell invasion & migration, cell signaling, DNA damage, electrophoresis, glycobiology, post-translational modification & stem cell biology.

*  ec23® is the acronym for  4-(5,5,8,8-Tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ylethynyl) benzoic acid. AMSBIO is the global source for ec23®. Ec23® is a registered trade mark of and manufactured by Reinnervate.

** References:
1.  Retinoid supplementation of differentiating human neural progenitors and embryonic stem cells leads to enhanced neurogenesis in vitro. 
Christie VB, Maltman DJ, Henderson AP, Whiting A, Marder TB, Lako M, Przyborski SA. (J Neurosci Methods. 2010 Nov 30;193(2):239-45).
2.  Synthetic retinoids: structure-activity relationships.  Barnard JH, Collings JC, Whiting A, Przyborski SA, Marder TB.  (Chemistry. 2009 Nov 2;15(43):11430-42).
3.  Proteomic profiling of the stem cell response to retinoic acid and synthetic retinoid analogues: identification of major retinoid-inducible proteins.
Maltman DJ, Christie VB, Collings JC, Barnard JH, Fenyk S, Marder TB, Whiting A, Przyborski SA. Mol Biosyst. 2009 May;5(5):458-71.