Laboratory News Network

Scalable protocol to differentiate skeletal muscle cells

2016-04-06T10:53:00.002+01:00

AMSBIO announces the availability of the world's first kit to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells into functional myotubes. The new kit utilises a highly efficient media based protocol to produce skeletal muscle cells from stem cells in a simple, scalable manner.

The potential to differentiate stem cells into specific cell types is revolutionising life sciences, from new methods of studying developmental biology and novel approaches to producing accurate disease models to techniques to help drug discovery and toxicity testing.

Until recently methods of studying muscular disease and potential therapies were dependent on invasive muscle biopsies to produce limited batches of primary cells. Use of primary cells presents challenges, not only in the collection process but also related to inconsistencies in cell growth, behaviour and life span, making it difficult to generate reliable experimental models.

The new Skeletal Muscle Differentiation kit offers researchers a unique tool to rapidly differentiate donor stems into functional myotubes in a reproducible fashion. Tested on a wide range of human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell lines the new kit follows a simple three-step process of media changes and cell passaging. Eliminating the need for cell sorting or transfection of myogenic transcription factors, the three step protocol generates a highly pure population of approximately 70% skeletal muscle myotubes in weeks.

Simultaneous 96-well extraction of urine samples for drugs of abuse analysis

2016-04-06T10:47:00.004+01:00

INTEGRA, in conjunction with DPX Labs LLC, has produced an application note that describes a novel high throughput semi-automated sample method for processing urine samples ready for drugs of abuse analysis by LC-MS/MS.

Using an INTEGRA VIAFLO 96 electronic pipette with DPX mixed mode tips, a single 96-well plate loaded with samples can be extracted and ready for LC-MS/MS analysis in less than 10 minutes eliminating the need for a time-consuming evaporation step.

Sample preparation is required to remove matrix interferences from urine samples prior to LC-MS/MS analysis. This procedure is typically very time-consuming and is generally the “bottleneck” for laboratory analysis. DPX extraction is a highly reproducible and sensitive dispersive SPE method that requires much less solvent compared to other SPE techniques.

The application note describes how an INTEGRA VIAFLO 96 electronic pipette was used to simultaneously undertake, in each well of a 96-well plate, the various steps of the DPX protocol (analyte binding, resin washing, analyte elution). Results from this semi-automated method are shown to be linear, accurate, and reproducible. All correlation coefficients for the protocol were greater than 0.99 for the range of 12.5–400 ng/mL.

The INTEGRA VIAFLO 96 is a handheld 96-channel electronic pipette that enables fast, precise and easy simultaneous transfer of 96 samples from microplates without the cost of a fully automated system. The VIAFLO 96 requires no special skills or training to operate it. Fast replication or reformatting of 96-well plates and high precision transferring of reagents, compounds and solutions to or from microplates with the VIAFLO 96 is as easy as pipetting with a standard electronic pipette into a single tube. Four pipetting heads with pipetting volumes up to 12.5µl, 125µl, 300µl or 1250µl are available for the VIAFLO 96. These pipetting heads are interchangeable within seconds enabling optimal matching of the available volume range to the application performed.

Non-invasive online monitoring of biomass in shake flasks

2016-04-05T11:58:00.002+01:00

aquila biolabs’ Cell Growth Quantifier (CGQ) allows non-invasive online monitoring of biomass in shake flasks. The automatic measurements save time and provide a profound understanding of the bioprocesses, ensuring sustainable success of shake flask experiments.

Currently, scientists monitor biomass in shake flask cultures by manual and invasive photometric OD measurements. The CGQ, however, determines the biomass concentration automatically, optically and non-invasively through the vessel wall using a patented sensor. Overall, the CGQ can generate detailed microbial growth kinetics in up to 16 shake flasks simultaneously and in real time.

The benefits are obvious: time and cost savings, an undisturbed bioprocess and improved reproducibility of results. Thanks to the CGQ, bioprocesses can be developed and optimized based on detailed growth curves. Hence, the sustainable success of shake flask experiments can be significantly increased.

The CGQ consists of four components. The sensor plate is positioned under the shake flask, which is protected by a cover. By connecting the shake flasks to the base station, an interface to the CGQuant software is established, which analyses and visualises the biomass data.

The CGQ is compatible with all INFORS HT shakers and clamps as well as with 'Sticky Stuff'. All common types of glass and transparent single use flasks in the sizes 250, 300, 500, 1000 and 2000ml can be used. Thereby, customers can easily integrate the CGQ into their existing laboratory infrastructure.

Automating blood and stem cell banking

2016-04-05T11:44:00.002+01:00

Reliance Precision’ s Cool Muscle motors have now been used in 500 Biosafe Sepax systems. The Sepax systems are used for automated adult stem cell banking and cell processing applications.

The Biosafe Sepax system is an automated, mobile, closed unit for the efficient and consistent processing of umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, peripheral blood or other cell based products. Biosafe began trialling Reliance’s Cool Muscle motors in 2010 in its Sepax systems, using the motor to help accurately separate the different cell components via single-use cell separation kits.

The Cool Muscle motor senses when the different single-use cryobags are filled with the correct amount of cellular products and was so successful in trials that Biosafe continued to use it in its Sepax systems, more than 500 of which are now in use worldwide.

Julien Camisani, Scientific and Technical Director at Biosafe, explains: “We used to have step motors in our automated blood banking systems but this process was sometimes inefficient. Since adding the Cool Muscle motors to our Sepax systems we have not experienced any of the issues we did when using step motors. We are so satisfied with the excellent quality of the Cool Muscle motors that we intend to continue using them in our Sepax systems and in future development projects.”

New ChIP-seq protocol yields improved results

2016-03-08T08:25:00.002+00:00

Chroma trap has developed a new protocol that further extends the many advantages of its popular Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (ChIP-seq) assay kits.

Key developments for the Chromatrap ChIP-seq kit (version 1.2) include high quality chromatin can now be achieved via sonication or enzymatic digestion; high and low abundant enrichment is possible from small chromatin samples; improved antibody binding; greater chromatin loading flexibility and the ability to use increased slurry volumes for difficult samples.

Chromatrap’s ChIP-seq kit uses solid state technology in parallel with high throughput sequencing to deliver a streamlined ChIP-seq protocol from small cell numbers and low chromatin concentrations. Specifically adapted for broader chromatin concentrations, Chromatrap ChIP-seq combines the dynamic range of Chromatrap with the downstream analysis power of deep sequencing. This allows faster, more reproducible genome wide identification of TF binding sites and specific DNA associated protein modifications. With no limitation in scale or resolution, Next Generation Sequencing can elucidate the role of TFs and epigenetic marks on gene transcription and epigenetic chromatin status.

The Chromatrap ChIP-seq kit allows the user to perform up to 24 ChIP assays from cell collection through to immunoprecipitation, including up to 10 chromatin sample preparations. The kit provides all of the major components required for performing ChIP assays to obtain high quality DNA for Next Generation Sequencing library preparation.

With the Chromatrap ChIP-seq kit you can sequence from as little as 1-50 µg of chromatin and perform up to 10 library preparations form a single IP. A complete ChIP-seq assay can be completed in just five days. With selective and sensitive enrichment of low chromatin loading and optimised elution buffer chemistry the new version 1.2 of the Chromatrap’s ChIP-seq kit enables preparation of high quality and quantity of immunoprecipitated DNA.

High-pressure ion chromatography system

2016-03-07T15:08:00.001+00:00

Now scientists in environmental, food safety, pharmaceutical and industrial/petrochemical laboratories can rely on a new flexible and configurable high-pressure ion chromatography system designed to deliver exceptional performance, productivity and efficiency.

The Thermo Scientific Dionex Integrion High-Pressure Ion Chromatography (HPIC) system, the newest addition to the Thermo Fisher Scientific ion chromatography portfolio, is intuitive and easy-to-use, and capable of addressing challenging laboratory workflows.

The Dionex Integrion HPIC system delivers features previously available only on Thermo Scientific high-end systems, including high-pressure capability and optional electrochemical detection. With a simple, logical, flow-based plumbing layout and integrated performance features, including whole-system smart monitoring, the Dionex Integrion HPIC offers fast run times in a robust and reliable system. Additional features may include:

* Easy-to-install IC PEEK Viper Fittings that enable easy operation and minimize peak dispersion and band broadening—ultimately improving chromatographic resolution.

* Detachable tablet with local language support that allows the flexibility to access IC controls even while away from the instrument.

* Consumables device monitor that regulates installation errors by logging and tracking both system and consumable performance—storing data in a secure, cloud server that improves preventative maintenance and maximises uptime.

* Thermally regulated detector compartment that provides extended life to consumables.

* Thermo Scientific Dionex Chromeleon Chromatography Data System (CDS) software to streamline workflow from samples to results quickly and easily.

Also new to the Thermo Scientific IC portfolio is the Dionex Aquion IC system, which brings reliability in a compact platform and the simplified operation needed for routine IC analysis. Based on the company’s reliable ICS-1100 platform, the system features electrolytic suppression for consistent performance and ease-of-use, an optional column heater for improved reproducibility and an optional vacuum degasser for improved baseline stability.

Red, blue and black kits for conjugation of antibodies and proteins to latex beads

2016-03-07T14:52:00.002+00:00

Innova Biosciences, a specialist provider of bioconjugation products and services, today announced the launch of new red, black and blue 400nm LATEX conjugation kits. Innova Biosciences’ LATEX conjugation kits are one-step kits for the covalent conjugation of antibodies and proteins to specially treated latex beads, for use in the diagnostics field and across other applications.

The new conjugation kits are easy to use, and offer quick, effective conjugation of antibodies, proteins and peptides to latex beads, offering the potential to simplify and improve assay development while reducing development timelines. Additionally, as a variety of colours are available, the range enables multiplexing and therefore maximum flexibility in assay design. The kits are suitable for use in development of diagnostics, in lateral flow assays, and across a range of other applications, and are fully compatible with human serum.

Conjugation to latex particles using conventional methodology is complex and time-consuming, and typically requires extensive optimisation and relatively large quantities of antibody, with aggregation often a major problem associated with covalent conjugations, and extensive pH optimisation required for passive conjugation techniques.

Black storage plate for light sensitive samples

2016-03-07T14:15:00.002+00:00

Available from Porvair Sciences is a black 96-well deep well plate, offering a working volume of 1ml per well, that in conjunction with black sealing films ensures that light sensitive assays and samples are not degraded by exposure to light, even over long-term storage periods.

Manufactured from polypropylene, Porvair's black deep well microplate has excellent heat and solvent resistant qualities. Using only ultra-pure grade polymer means that the black deep well plate has near zero leachates ensuring long-term sample integrity. The black plate is fully validated RNase and DNase free allowing it to be used with even the most sensitive biological samples.

Benefiting from a cylindrical well design with round bottoms, Porvair's black 96-well deep well plate allow optimal mixing and easy sample recovery. Precisely manufactured to ANSI / SLAS dimensions – the black 96-well deep well plate is fully compatible with all commercially available microplate readers and automated liquid handling equipment.

Laws of nature predict cancer evolution

2016-03-07T13:32:00.003+00:00

Cancers evolve over time in patterns governed by the same natural laws that drive physical and chemical processes as diverse as the flow of rivers or the brightness of stars, a new study reports.

Researchers believe that in the future, they could predict how a cancer will grow and develop by applying natural laws to single genetic snapshots taken from a cancer.

The intriguing research raises the possibility that doctors could take clinical decisions on how an individual patient’s cancer will change, and what treatments should be used, by applying mathematical formulas to tumour biopsies.

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), used a wealth of data – generated from more than 900 tumours of 14 different types – to show that many cancers evolve in particular patterns that can be predicted.

The study, published in Nature Genetics, was funded by a donation to The Institute of Cancer Research by Chris Rokos and by organisations including the Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK and the Medical Research Council.

Many cancer types, such as bowel, stomach and some lung cancers, closely followed a path set out by a theoretical model describing the accumulation and spread of genetic mutations during a single rapid expansion.

The model, created by the research team, predicted that in many tumours, all important cancer genes are already present at the beginning of tumour growth, and new mutations inside the tumour are essentially ‘passengers’, with no additional effect.

The team showed that these passenger mutations would accumulate following a so-called 1/𝑓 power-law distribution. This pattern is found through nature in a variety of physical, chemical and biological systems including the flow of the River Nile and the luminosity of stars – and even helps to govern the financial market.

The model was less good at predicting the path of some other cancers, such as brain and pancreatic tumours, suggesting that in these cases natural selection – driven by pressures on resources and space – might play a greater role in the spread of mutations.

But in the future, the development of these types of cancers could also be predicted using more elaborate mathematical models, the scientists said. The next step in their research is to determine how the new predictive features they can measure – such as the speed of emergence of aggressive or drug-resistant mutations – map to outcomes for patients over time.

This new analysis of cancer data potentially has important clinical implications – providing a new way to distinguish mutations that should be targeted with treatment, versus ‘passenger’ mutations that may have no effect on cancer cell growth.

Study co-leader Dr Andrea Sottoriva, Chris Rokos Fellow in Evolution and Cancer at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: “Our study shows that the spread of mutations through a cancer follows natural laws – and is therefore theoretically predictable, just as we can predict the movement of celestial bodies or the weather.

“This predictability means that the vast amount of genetic data we can generate from tumour biopsies could tell us how a given cancer will develop over time – which mutations will come to drive it into more aggressive disease, when they will emerge, and which drugs are best to treat them. Like in a game of chess, the aim is anticipating the next move of the adversary, to ultimately win the game.”

Study co-leader Dr Trevor Graham, head of the Evolution and Cancer laboratory at the Barts Cancer Institute at QMUL, said: “We often think of cancers as being the chaotic and uncontrolled growth of cells within the body. But counter to this intuition, our study shows how cancer evolution is in fact often highly ordered and can even be explained by a straightforward mathematical rule.

This rule is important because it hugely simplifies our view of how cancers evolve. Now that we know the rule, we can attempt to bend it in our favour to improve patient outcomes.”Dr Kat Arney, Cancer Research UK’s Science Information Manager, said: “Research like this is enabling scientists to anticipate how different cancers evolve in the body. If doctors were able to reliably predict how cancers change with time, it could help them choose the most effective treatments for each patient. Advances in DNA sequencing technology mean that we’re now able to track how individual tumours change over time at the deepest genetic level.”

Healthy cells 'collaborate' with tumours to help build new blood vessels

2016-03-07T13:12:00.000+00:00

Healthy cells actively collaborate with tumours by creating a mesh of collagen that encourages cancer cells to build new blood vessels, a new study shows.

Researchers found that ‘collaborator’ cells build a beneficial environment around the tumour which helps it to build the new blood vessels it needs to grow.

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute in Glasgow, showed that a type of signal called transfer RNA plays a key role in driving collagen production to increase the blood supply to tumours.

Their study sheds light on the key role played by the surrounding environment in a tumour’s growth and development – and could open up novel approaches to treatment.

It is published today (Thursday) in Current Biology and was funded by organisations including Cancer Research UK and Breast Cancer Now.

Cells called fibroblasts are the body’s natural factories for collagen, the main structural protein of the body. In most healthy tissues, fibroblasts mainly generate type I collagen.

But researchers found that fibroblasts near tumours switch from producing type I collagen to type II collagen. They showed that this change in collagen production helps the tumour to build new blood vessels – supporting its growth.

The researchers found that fibroblast cells that were activated by malignant breast tumours produced much more of a type of transfer RNA called the initiator methionine tRNA, than they would normally. The increase in this particular transfer RNA allowed fibroblasts to increase their production of type II collagen.

The initiator methionine tRNA is required for all protein production in the cell, so it might be expected that increased levels of it would raise levels of all cellular proteins. However, the researchers showed that increased levels of the transfer RNA resulted in increased levels of specific proteins only, including collagen II.

The work therefore reveals an unexpected role for the initiator methionine tRNA in controlling production of secreted collagens that promote blood vessel growth in tumours.

Study co-leader Dr Andrew Reynolds, Leader of the Tumour Biology Team at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: “Cancers can’t gather together the resources they need to grow and spread all by themselves – they need the support of surrounding healthy cells. Our study shows that a specific type of transfer RNA can ramp up production of collagen II protein in fibroblasts, stimulating the blood vessel growth in tumours that promotes cancer growth. Our results could open up new approaches to treatment, such as drugs that are designed to disrupt cancer’s ability to manipulate its environment.”

Study co-leader Professor Jim Norman, Leader of the Integrin Cell Biology Laboratory at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, said: “It is known that cancers have alterations to their repertoire of transfer RNAs – in particular they display elevated levels of the initiator methionine tRNA. Our study is important because it shows that this does not lead directly to increased synthesis of cellular protein to make more cells – as had previously been suggested – but very selectively alters production of certain secreted proteins, such as collagen II. This then indirectly drives tumour growth by helping the tumour solicit its own blood supply.”

Dr Laura McCallum, Cancer Research UK’s Senior Research Information Manager, said: “This exciting study adds to the growing evidence that no cancer cell acts alone. Understanding how cancer cells manipulate healthy neighbouring cells to support them is vital if we are to find new ways to stop the disease in its tracks.”

Dr Richard Berks, Senior Research Communications Officer at Breast Cancer Now, said: “This early study highlights one way that normal cells could be helping tumours grow and spread, by promoting the growth of new blood vessels.

“We know tumours cannot exist in isolation; they must recruit non-cancer cells in their local environment to help them progress and researchers are now trying to understand whether this relationship could provide an effective target for treatments. Improving our understanding of the tumour micro-environment, and how it helps tumours to grow, will be critical to finding ways to stop breast and other cancers. We look forward to further discoveries in this area in the future.”

Field flow fractionation of proteins, macromolecules and nanoparticles

2016-03-07T12:09:00.000+00:00

The Postnova AF2000 MultiFlow is a high performance Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) platform for separation of proteins, macromolecules and nanoparticles.

Incorporating a range of FFF modules in a single integrated system to provide universal separation, the AF2000 MultiFlow offers more flexibility, better performance and more robust results than any system before.

The AF2000 MultiFlow platform is based on the Flow FFF principles using a unique crossflow field design in which samples are separated by their dynamic diffusion on the basis of molar mass or particle size. Because of this design and the absence of any stationary phase, field-flow fractionation on the AF2000 MultiFlow can be performed without exerting shear forces and stress on the molecules or particles being separated.

The AF2000 can be run with different eluents, wide ranging temperature conditions and the same system can be used for running planar Asymmetric Flow FFF (AF4) or circular Hollow Fiber Flow FFF separations (HF5). Consequently the AF2000 MultiFlow is an ideal platform for the characterisation of proteins, antibodies, aggregates, vaccines, VLPs, liposomes, nanoparticles and natural or synthetic polymers.

The AF2000 MultiFlow is available in a series of different models. Various add-on modules, extra options and special FFF detectors are available, such as Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). All Postnova FFF modules and detectors have been especially developed for FFF and are perfectly optimised not only for the use with the AF2000 MultiFlow, but also for the other Postnova FFF systems. Additionally the AF2000 Series has been designed for easy interfacing with high-end detection technologies, such as ICP-MS, from other suppliers that may already be at use in your laboratory.

Copper 'restricts the global spread of antibiotic-resistant infections'

2012-12-04T10:59:00.001+00:00

New research from the University of Southampton in the UK has shown that copper can prevent horizontal transmission of genes, which has contributed to the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria is largely responsible for the development of antibiotic-resistance, which has led to an increasing number of difficult-to-treat healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).

The newly-published paper, which appears in the journal mBio, shows that while HGT can take place in the environment, on frequently-touched surfaces – such as door handles, trolleys and tables – made from stainless steel, copper prevents this process from occurring and rapidly kills bacteria on contact.

Lead author Professor Bill Keevil, Chair in Environmental Healthcare at the University of Southampton, summarises: "We know many human pathogens survive for long periods in the hospital environment and can lead to infection, expensive treatment, blocked beds and death. What we have shown in this work is the potential for strategically-placed antimicrobial copper touch surfaces to not only break the chain of contamination, but also actively reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance developing at the same time. Provided adequate cleaning continues in critical environments, copper can be employed as an important additional tool in the fight against pathogens."

Beyond the healthcare environment, copper also has a wider role to play in infection control. Professor Keevil explains: "Copper touch surfaces have promise for preventing antibiotic resistance transfer in public buildings and mass transportation systems, which lead to local and – in the case of jet travel – rapid worldwide dissemination of multidrug-resistant superbugs as soon as they appear.

"People with inadequate hand hygiene from different countries could exchange their bugs and different antibiotic resistance genes just by touching a stair rail or door handle, ready to be picked up by someone else and passed on. Copper substantially reduces and restricts the spread of these infections, making an important contribution to improved hygiene and, consequently, health."

Installations of copper touch surfaces have already taken place across the UK and around the world, harnessing copper's ability to continuously reduce bioburden and consequently the risk of HCAI transmission. This research highlights an additional benefit, adding to the compelling body of evidence that copper offers an important adjunct to existing infection control practices.

Private healthcare facilities strengthen cardiac patient monitoring devices market in CEE

2012-12-04T10:06:00.003+00:00

The rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing the focus of healthcare providers, payers and patients on early diagnosis and prevention. At the same time, the cardiac patient monitoring market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is saturating, and the products themselves are becoming commoditised.

“Nevertheless, the dynamic development of private healthcare facilities in CEE countries is expected to drive the expansion of installed base of cardiac patient monitoring devices,” notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Dominika Grzywinska. “This, in turn, should postpone progressing market saturation.”

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Central and Eastern European Cardiac Patient Monitoring Market Outlook, finds that the market earned revenues $63.3 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach $83.9 million in 2016. The research covers resting electrocardiogram (ECG), stress ECG, cardiac event recorders, ECG Holter monitors and data management systems (DMS) segments across Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.

Cardiac patient monitoring devices, especially resting ECG units, are becoming a commodity in the CEE healthcare space. Most healthcare facilities are equipped with such devices, which has resulted in impending market saturation.

This trend is further intensified by limited changes in the technology development arena. With no new solutions that add significant clinical value being launched, the installed base has less growth potential. However, the dynamic development of private healthcare facilities, especially in Bulgaria, Poland and Romania, is generating sizeable demand for new cardiac patient monitoring units.

End user price sensitivity remains a concern. While factors like quality or service are also considered, price is often the main criterion in product selection.

“This explains the success of Asian vendors in the CEE market who offer similar quality devices, albeit at more attractive prices,” explains Grzywinska. “Combined with looming market saturation, the situation is expected to lead to price erosion and decreasing vendor profitability.”

In order to maintain profitability, vendors should not only maintain competitive product pricing, but also look for alternative ways of attracting customers. Such strategies could include introducing value-added offerings, rapid and reliable maintenance services or designing comprehensive package solutions, including DMS.

WiCell teams with Agilent Technologies to offer high-resolution CGH+SNP microarray service

2012-12-04T10:01:00.003+00:00

Agilent Technologies Inc and WiCell, a leader in the cytogenetic testing of mouse and human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, have announced that WiCell is now offering comparative genomic hybridization plus single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis using the Agilent SurePrint G3 Human Genome CGH+SNP Microarray.

Unlike previous assays that required performing CGH and SNP separately, the CGH+SNP Microarray detects copy number changes by both SNP and CGH, and simultaneously delivers copy-neutral change information such as loss or absence of heterozygosity. The assay maintains the high-resolution quality achieved with CGH-only microarrays, using probes that have been carefully optimized and validated for maximal sensitivity and specificity.

“WiCell’s considerable experience and know-how in cytogenetic analysis and their large CGH dataset for embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, partners well with Agilent’s technology to enable robust detection capabilities vital for research and commercial development,” said Kathleen Shelton, senior director of genomics marketing at Agilent.

Anita Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., senior scientist at University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Waisman Center, understands firsthand the value of WiCell’s CGH+SNP microarray service: “In my Down syndrome research, I needed the ability to rule out loss of heterozygosity in order to publish my research. I was very happy with my interactions with WiCell; their level of expertise and understanding of what I needed was exceptional. Ultimately, through running the SurePrint CGH+SNP microarray, WiCell allowed me to confidently produce the data within a compressed timeline.”

Grünenthal and Amura Therapeutics sign agreement for research collaboration in pain and inflammation

2012-12-03T15:01:00.000+00:00

The Grünenthal Group and Amura Therapeutics LTD (Cambridge, UK) have entered into a Collaboration Agreement. The focus of this collaboration is the development of protease inhibitors which play a key role in pain and inflammation, key focus areas in Grünenthal’s research-focused Strategic Business Unit Grünenthal Innovation.

Under the terms of the agreement Grünenthal and Amura will combine their respective expertise to collaborate on the development of cathepsin inhibitors to treat pain and inflammation. Starting from advanced lead compounds generated from Amura, Grünenthal will add its key expertise to the continued development of these small molecule drugs and assume responsibility for further research and development.

Grünenthal takes exclusive rights for worldwide clinical development, manufacturing and commercialisation of potential new pharmaceutical products arising from the collaboration. Grünenthal has made an undisclosed upfront payment, will make further milestone payments and is funding the costs under the running agreement.

“We are excited about this collaboration with Amura Therapeutics LTD. Our expertise, strength and innovative power in developing therapies for patients suffering from pain and inflammatory diseases hopefully will help these patients in the future as these are still areas of unmet medical need”, said Dr. Klaus-Dieter Langner, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Grünenthal Innovation.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr David Brown, Chairman of Amura, said “we are delighted to have entered into this exciting collaboration with Grünenthal, a global leader in developing treatments for pain. This Agreement provides confirmation of the scientific and commercial validity of Amura’s novel AMcore platform and we look forward to a fruitful partnership with Grünenthal and developing new medicines in an area of unmet medical need.”

ICON Central Laboratories doubles biospecimen storage capacity

2012-12-03T14:55:00.000+00:00

ICON plc has expanded the biorepository capacity in its Central Laboratory located in Farmingdale, New York. The expansion doubles ICON’s sample storage capacity globally and supports the long term sample storage needs of clinical trials.

“We’re investing in this expansion to meet our sponsor’s biorepository needs and because we believe that long-term preservation of samples is essential for the future of drug development, in particular for personalised medicine strategies that foresee an ever-increasing need for downstream analysis,” commented Tom O’Leary, President, ICON Central Laboratories. “The co-location of our biorepository services with our central labs in North America, Europe, Singapore and India is critical, as it allows for future analysis while minimising the risks and costs associated with transporting samples."

ICON’s global biorepository facilities store a wide-range of specimens, including plasma, serum, whole blood, RNA, DNA, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), urine and tissue at frozen storage conditions of -20°C, -70°C, -80°C, and -150°C liquid nitrogen. This latest expansion provides additional capacity to ICON’s existing end-to-end biospecimen management solution, which ensures sample integrity and full chain of custody across the entire lifecycle from collection and processing to final disposal.

SEAL and SERLABO partnership

2012-12-03T13:00:00.000+00:00

Laboratory instrument manufacturer SEAL analytical has announced the appointment of SERLABO Technologies as exclusive distributor in France for the company’s range of market leading automated discrete and segmented flow analysers.

Established in 2005, SERLABO Technologies is the result of a merger between two highly respected companies in the laboratory market: Serlabo SA and UVK-LAB. SERLABO is a specialist provider of laboratory instruments and service support.

With an established customer base and a sales and service team operating throughout France, SERLABO aims to help customers by providing a complete solution to their analytical needs.

To meet this target, SERLABO offers a wide range of efficient and high work-rate instruments, with excellent reproducibility and low detection limits.

SERLABO’s staff are highly experienced with wide-ranging expertise in analytical chemistry. This is exemplified by product manager Hervé Ozouf (pictured) who has nineteen years of experience in laboratory analysis. He says: “The SEAL Analytical products will fit very well in our Environmental product range. Our support and technical team aims to provide a premium service, so the fact that SEAL is a developer and manufacturer of both hardware and software will be a great advantage for our customers.”

Transgene to collaborate with the EORTC on a Phase 2b Trial with TG4001 in head and neck cancer

2012-11-30T14:44:00.004+00:00

Transgene SA is to collaborate with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) for the conduct of a randomized phase 2b study of TG4001 in patients with HPV16 positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCCs).

The study will be a multinational, placebo controlled, randomized, phase 2b trial led by the EORTC in which TG4001 will be administered in combination with chemo-radiotherapy in patients with HPV16 positive OSCCs whose tumor is locally advanced (non-metastatic). The main objective of the study will be to show a reduction in the relapse rate in patients receiving TG4001 in addition to this standard of care. Approximately 200 patients should be enrolled.

“The EORTC welcomes this new partnership with Transgene aiming at improving outcomes for the HPV16-positive subset of patients” said EORTC Director Dr. Denis Lacombe. He added: “Currently the standard treatment is chemo-radiotherapy and we believe combining it with TG4001, an HPV-targeted immunotherapy, could potentially improve the survival rate of patients.”

The trial is scheduled to start in late 2013 and should deliver its first safety and efficacy results in 2016. Under certain conditions, to be further discussed between Transgene and EORTC, this clinical trial could be extended to a phase 3 that could serve as a registrational study for TG4001 in this indication.

Since 2011, Transgene has regained full rights to TG4001 from Roche. Clinical results (released in 2012) from a phase 2b trial conducted by Roche in 206 high grade cervical dysplasia (CIN2/3) patients demonstrated a significant level of activity of the therapeutic vaccine compared to placebo.

"We are very pleased to announce this collaboration with the EORTC, a leading independent European cancer research organisation which is at the forefront of the development new cancer treatment strategies” said Philippe Archinard, President and CEO of Transgene. He added: “This is an opportunity to improve the cure rate for patients and also a good opportunity for Transgene to explore and extract value from this asset, for which interesting proof of concept data were previously obtained in a monotherapy trial. The combination of therapeutic vaccine and chemotherapy is based on a strong clinical rationale as evidenced by Transgene in a previous trial combining TG4010, an MVA-MUC1 vaccine, to chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer."

The market for head and neck cancers was valued by Transgene at $1 billion in annual sales in 2010. It is currently growing fast and is expected to reach close to $2 billion in value by 2017. This growth is primarily attributed to the increasing prevalence and diagnosis rate of the disease but also to the introduction of new effective therapies as unmet medical needs are significant. Transgene estimates the eligible population (incidence) for the combination of TG4001 and radio-chemotherapy in the HPV16-related head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) to be between 10,000 and 15,000 patients. As the only HPV-targeted therapy in advanced clinical development in HNSCC, the combination could expect a penetration superior to 50% of the eligible population

New liquid ready-to-use Tumour Marker Control available now from Randox

2012-11-30T14:28:00.000+00:00

The new Randox Acusera multi-analyte Liquid Tumour Marker Control covers a total of 15 commonly tested and esoteric cancer antigens and tumour markers. The inclusion of assayed, instrument specific target values enables laboratories to effectively monitor both accuracy and precision.

The Liquid Tumour Marker Control includes AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein), Beta-2- Microglobulin, CA15-3, CA19-9, CA27-29, CA72-4, CA125, CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen), Cyfra 21-1, Ferritin, hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), NSE (Neuron-specific Enolase), PSA Free (Prostate Specific Antigen Free), PSA Total (Prostate Specific Antigen Total) and Thyroglobulin.

The liquid ready-to-use format is highly convenient for laboratory staff to use requiring no preparation. Furthermore the material can be easily shipped and stored at +2-8oC. Liquid stable controls not only eliminate the need for reconstitution but reduce the amount of human handling necessary. The user friendly 6 x 3ml pack size and open vial stability of 30 days at +2-8oC for all analytes listed significantly helps to minimise waste and keep running costs low.

Like all Randox immunoassay controls the serum is 100% human in origin providing a matrix similar to the patient sample but also reducing antibody cross reactivity and the possibility of control values shifting when reagent batch is changed. Three distinct levels of control are available with all analytes including PSA present at desirable levels. Clinically relevant PSA levels ensure the ratio of free to bound PSA is typical of that found in cancer patients.

As a true third party control laboratories can use the Acusera liquid tumour marker control to independently assess analytical performance. Fully assayed, instrument specific target values and ranges are provided for many common clinical chemistry and immunoassay systems.

For optimum performance and advanced analytical capabilities use in combination with Acusera 24.7 Live Online, an inter-laboratory data management programme designed to monitor analytical performance, interpret QC results and improve the effectiveness of quality control. With Acusera 24.7 users benefit from online access anytime, peer group data generated from thousands of laboratories every 24 hours, fully interactive charts and reports and automatic import of QC data direct from your LIMs or instrument via Acusera 24.7 Connect.

Mundipharma strengthens oncology portfolio with strategic collaboration for next generation alkylating agents

2012-11-30T14:21:00.002+00:00

Mundipharma International Corporation Limited and Northlake International LLC have announced that they have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement to develop structurally novel – next generation alkylating agents for the treatment of haematological malignancies.

The agreement grants Mundipharma and its independent associated companies worldwide intellectual property rights, excluding China, to Northlake International’s lead product NL-101 as well as its pipeline of back-up molecules. NL-101 is a novel fusion molecule developed through Northlake International’s Dual Functional Cytotoxic Targeted Therapy (DCTT) technology. This new chemical entity has a bendamustine back-bone plus a histone deacetylase (HDAC) pharmacophore, providing a dual specificity therapeutic small molecule capable of targeting both a 'conventional' cytotoxic pathway and a 'modern' molecular targeted pathway with a single molecule.

“NL-101 has, in cell lines, demonstrated five times higher DNA alkylation efficiency than melphalan and is ten times more potent than bendamustine. It appears that NL-101 has the properties to be a powerful and broadly applicable alkylating agent,” said Professor Karen Reimer, Director, Mundipharma Research Limited. “Mundipharma’s agreement with Northlake International is yet another example of our heritage of partnering and co-developing with companies. This collaboration will further strengthen our growing oncology portfolio and aligns with our strategic commitment to oncology.”

Dr Yi Chen, CSO /co-founder, of Northlake International commented “We believe alkylating agents will continue to have an important role as a cornerstone of therapy in conjunction with targeted therapies. This collaboration leverages Mundipharma’s expertise with bendamustine along with our DCTT technology and will help bring important new therapies to patients and physicians.”

Alongside the new collaboration agreement with Northlake International, Mundipharma has also signed a Data Sharing Agreement with Hangzhou Minsheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Minsheng), which owns the Chinese rights for NL-101. Mr. Fujiang Zhu, President of Minsheng, commented “the data sharing agreement between Mundipharma and Minsheng will accelerate the development of NL-101, and will increase R&D efficiency for both sides. We are confident that the partnership will significantly enhance the chance of success for NL-101.”

Mundipharma’s oncology portfolio includes products for treating neuro-oncological and haematological malignancies, and continues to expand as a result of licensing agreements with Astellas Deutschland GmbH, Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Allos Therapeutics, Inc., which is now part of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Winners for 2012 Scrip Awards

2012-11-30T14:11:00.002+00:00

London’s Lancaster Hotel saw industry achievements across the board being celebrated last night at a glittering ceremony for the 8th Annual Scrip Awards.

The ceremony, hosted by the journalist and broadcaster John Sergeant, rewarded excellence over the whole range of industry activities, from pharma, biotech and those companies that support them. Despite 2012 being remarkable for the patent cliff, the Euro crisis and yet more damage to pharma’s reputation in the mainstream media, there was still much to celebrate in your achievements.

“Medical innovation in the past century has transformed the basic expectations of human lives. Tens of millions of death sentences were lifted and once dread diseases were cured or became manageable chronic conditions,” explains Mike Ward, Chief Content Officer for Datamonitor Healthcare and Scrip Intelligence. “Our industry continues to develop medicines that save and improve millions of lives in every country around the globe.

“However, this industry's contribution is much greater than improvements in life expectancy or quality of life – there are also the economic benefits brought by job creation, consumer spending and taxes paid. However, it is clear that the world – developed and developing – will not get to enjoy access to good healthcare unless the key stakeholders work together to deliver innovations and excellence,” explains Ward. “It is this innovation that we are here to recognize this evening, with awards that recognise the best and brightest in our industries.”

Of those categories that reward broader achievements of firms within the industry over the past year, Pharma Company of the Year (sponsored by ICON) went to Abbott, which the judges highlighted as “an example to follow”.

Winning the Biotech Company of the Year award was another US company that has enjoyed a transformative year: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Quintiles’ trophy for Best Clinical Research Organization was a result of a busy 12 months that saw it make various acquisitions, launch its novel Infosario data technology and make advances in Asia.

The Best Company in an Emerging Market award went to Hyderabad-based API and generics company, Laurus Labs, which enjoyed revenue growth of 40%, and an increase in EBIDTA of 34%.

Moving to those categories that reward innovation in the ways companies work together, the Best Partnership Alliance award was won by AstraZeneca and the UK Medical Research Council for their exciting new collaboration that seeks to understand mechanisms of disease and ‘crowdsource’ new therapeutic applications for drugs in previously unexplored indications using an open innovation approach. The judges said: “It’s a worthy experiment in the era of open innovation. It is undoubtedly innovative and both partners are contributing something valuable.”

Meanwhile, the Licensing Deal of the Year award was won by ThromboGenics and Novartis’s Alcon division for their deal for the exclusive ex-US rights to ocriplasmin, a pioneering pharmacological treatment for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA).

Novartis’ other trophy was won in one of Scrip’s two new awards this year – Clinical Advance of the Year, which was sponsored by Quintiles.

The other major award for R&D, Best New Drug (sponsored by INC Research), went this year to Zelboraf (vemurafenib), developed by Roche/Genentech in partnership with Plexxikon and Roche Molecular Systems.

In the Awards that applaud individual and team success, the trophy for Executive of the Year went to Shire’s outgoing CEO Angus Russell. In his last year at the helm of the speciality company, Russell presided over the $750 million acquisition of Advanced BioHealing, a move that took his company into yet another new direction: regenerative medicine.

For Management Team of the Year (sponsored by Talentmark), the judges rewarded Alkermes executive management team.

This year’s Clinical Research Team of the Year went to ICON’s clinical operations team for the extremely quick start up of a large study involving 109 sites in 15 countries, for an investigational gynecological compound in a selective women’s population.

The Best Technological Development in Clinical Trials award went to PPD for its PPD 3D, a unique virtual environment for training clinical research associates (CRAs) to monitor clinical trials.

The second new award category this year, Financing Deal of the Year, is designed to recognize successful and creative fundraising by pharma and biotech companies. The award went to Valeritas, a US company that develops and commercializes innovative drug development technologies, which in one of the largest private capital financings of 2011, raised $150 million in an equity financing.

But the highlight of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to expert biostatistician, entrepreneur, industry pioneer and public health advocate: Dennis Gillings.

As an industry leader and visionary, Dr Gillings was a pioneer in the CRO industry, transforming drug development over the last three decades. After gaining mathematics and statistics degrees, London-born Dr Gillings began his career as professor of biostatistics at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. It was while he was here that he began providing statistical consulting and data management services to pharmaceutical clients in 1974. Building on this experience, Dr Gillings founded Quintiles in 1982, and the company has since grown to become the largest global provider of clinical trials and commercial marketing services to pharma and biotech industries, with revenues exceeding $3 billion.

“Scrip’s Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the pharmaceutical/biotech industry,” says Ward. “In founding Quintiles, Dennis Gillings made an indelible impact on drug development by pioneering the Clinical Research Organization industry, revolutionising the field to the extent that clinical trials expertise now rests with these companies. The CRO sector is still fast growing and plays a crucial role in drug development.”

Under Dr Gillings’ leadership, Quintiles has helped develop or commercialize all of 2011’s top 50 best-selling compounds, top 30 best-selling cardiovascular products/compounds and top 40 best-selling oncology products/compounds. In April, Dr Gillings stepped away from the day-to-day running of the company to become its executive chairman, but his influence continues. He was a founding chairman of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations, and in 2004, Dr Gillings was honored by Her Majesty the Queen with a CBE for services to the pharmaceutical industry.

“Many congratulations to all of the winners of this year’s Scrip Awards,” says Ward. “While Awards evenings like this tend to focus on the winners, it is worth noting that this year, as in previous years, the standard of entries was exceptionally high. To be on the shortlist is a great achievement and we should also congratulate all our nominees.”

“In addition, I would like to thank our sponsors, our independent panel of awards judges, and my editorial colleagues in the Scrip Group who have ensured that we maintain our position as the leading source of intelligence on all aspects of the global pharmaceutical industry.”

Scrip Awards 2012:

Lifetime Achievement: Dennis Gillings CBE
Pharma Company of the Year (Sponsored by Icon): Abbott
Best New Drug (Sponsored by INC Research): Roche for Zelboraf (vemurafenib)
Management Team of the Year (Talentmark): Alkermes’ Executive Management Team
Best Contract Research Organisation: Quintiles
Biotech Company of the Year: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Executive of the Year: Angus Russell, CEO of Shire
Licensing Deal of the Year: Alcon and ThromboGenics for ocriplasmin
Clinical Advance of the Year (sponsored by Quintiles): Novartis’ EXIST-2 study of everolimus
Clinical Research Team of the Year: ICON’s clinical operations team
Financing Deal of the Year: Valeritas’ series C
Best Partnership Alliance: AstraZeneca and the UK Medical Research Council
Best Technological Development in Clinical Trials: PPD for PPD 3D
Best Company in an Emerging Market: Laurus Labs

Assay provides fluorescence polarization-based detection to help advance drug research on epigenetic targets

2012-11-30T11:16:00.002+00:00

Cisbio Bioassays, developer of products, technologies and services used for assay development and drug screening and for in vitro diagnostics, has announced that it has signed a global distribution agreement with BellBrook Labs, provider of high throughput screening tools, for BellBrook Labs’ Transcreener EPIGEN Methyltransferase assay.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cisbio Bioassays will offer this universal, fluorescence polarization-based tool for drug discovery studies in the growing field of epigenetics to pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers in Europe, the United States and Asia through its network of sales teams.

Transcreener EPIGEN Methyltransferase is a universal detection method based on Transcreener AMP/GMP assay technology, a proprietary technology platform developed and patented by BellBrook Labs.

The assay involves coupling enzymes that detect the product of methyltransferase reactions, crucial targets in epigenetic studies. Its homogeneous format enables detection at low substrate concentrations and offers researchers the sensitivity needed to detect enzyme function, as well as the technical aspects required for their industrial high throughput screening. In particular, the assay avoids difficulties in detecting specifically methylated products that are generated by methyltransferases and can be used with any kind of substrate, including complex and multi-protein.

This distribution agreement marks the second collaboration between Cisbio Bioassays and BellBrook Labs. In January 2008, Cisbio Bioassays launched HTRF Transcreener ADP, a universal and flexible assay for the high-throughput screening and profiling of kinases based on proprietary technologies from both companies.

MRC Technology and Chinese Academy of Science collaborate to identify new targets for drug discovery

2012-11-30T11:11:00.002+00:00

MRC Technology, a technology transfer charity and company, announced today it has entered into a strategic drug discovery collaboration with the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). The agreement will combine the SIBCB’s research expertise in generating potential new drug targets, with MRC Technology’s experience in further developing early stage research for pharmaceutical application and commercialisation. The focus of the collaboration is to fast track innovative drugable targets to create potent and selective novel therapeutics.

The collaboration was formalised at a signing ceremony held in Shanghai and attended by the senior team from both organisations including Dave Tapolczay and Michael Dalrymple (CEO and Director of Business Development, MRC Technology) and Professors Naihe Jing, Zhengjun Chen and Ge Jiang (Executive Director, Assistant Director and Head of Science and Technology respectively, SIBCB).

Dave Tapolczay, MRC Techology’s CEO commented, “SIBCB is one of the world’s leading academic research institutions and the initiative reflects our joint commitment to delivering drugs for the treatment of diseases of global significance. The collaboration gives us a strong partner in China and access to potential new targets to further develop into drug therapies.”

Supporting technology transfer and IP management efforts, MRC Technology set up its drug discovery laboratories in order to bridge the gap between innovative, early stage academic research and the development of intellectual property suitable for licensing to industry for further development and commercialisation. De-risking novel targets by providing proof of concept and pharma-quality data packages fulfils a clear need in the drug discovery process. The collaboration opens the MRC Technology laboratories up to a new source of targets from SIBCB researchers.

Silicone breast implants with spider silk-based coating show reduced side-effects in preclinical studies

2012-11-30T11:02:00.000+00:00

AMSilk is developing a novel spider silk-based coating, called BioShield-S1, for silicone breast implants designed to reduce commonly known side effects that are initiated when the immune system reacts to the implants.

Preclinical tests conducted jointly with the University of Bayreuth, Germany and the Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the University of Wuerzburg, Germany, showed the efficacy of the implant coating. A first test in rats showed that coated silicone implants were accepted much better than implants without silk coating. In particular, capsular fibrosis and inflammation at the tissue border to the coated implants were significantly reduced.

A follow-up one-year study, completed in 2012, confirmed the results and the findings are currently being prepared for publication. In this second study it was shown that the capsule formation around the implant differs significantly from controls, resulting in a thinner, more flexible and translucent capsule accompanied by a significant reduction in inflammation markers. Some inflammation markers, as well as fibroblast infiltration, were found to be at lower levels even twelve months after surgery. “This new technology offers a real option for further improving current implants and can be used for nearly all silicone-based products,” says Dr. Philip Zeplin, a surgeon who conducted the study.

Silicone implants are primarily in use for reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery. The BioShield-S1 coating consists of a thin layer of recombinant spider silk proteins manufactured at AMSilk. It modifies the implant, presenting a more biocompatible surface to the immune system. This new technology addresses a number of problems associated with silicone implants. More than 10% of all women who undergo reconstructive breast surgery, for example after breast cancer, experience pain, inflammation or deformation of the breast due to the contraction of the capsule which forms around the silicone implants. Between 2.4% and 4.6% of women who receive such implants for purely aesthetic reasons face the same problem within six years. Complication rates are even higher over the lifetime of an implant.

The coating can be applied to any silicone implant after the final production step, just prior to packaging and sterilization; it does not alter the mechanical performance of the implant. Other surgical applications will be tested in the future.

Qualified human feeder cells for iPSC reprogramming

2012-11-29T15:54:00.000+00:00

AMSBIO has announced the launch of Newborn Human Foreskin Fibroblasts qualified for induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)* reprogramming.

During cellular reprogramming the feeder layer can greatly affect the health of the cell culture and the success of the reprogramming. While a range of inactivated fibroblasts can be used as a support layer for pluripotent cell culture, not all will support mRNA reprogramming. Newborn Human Foreskin Fibroblasts (NuFF-RQ) have been functionally validated to support the generation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) colonies providing an optimised feeder layer during mRNA reprogramming.

AMSBIO have added NuFF-RQ to their range of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs) and Newborn Human Foreskin Fibroblasts (NuFFs) for stem cell culture experimentation. All AMSBIO feeder cells are meticulously derived and comprehensively tested on mouse and human ES stem cells to ensure robust and consistent performance with every lot. Fully qualified, ready-to-use feeder cells save you the time and trouble of dealing with an animal facility, dissections, cell expansion and lot-to-lot variation. Having undergone comprehensive safety tests including human pathogen and mycoplasma detection, AMSBIO’s feeder cells significantly reduce the threat of contamination in your iPSC reprogramming experiments.

NuFF-RQ qualified cells are available in conjunction with AMSBIO’s highly modified synthetic 5-capped mRNAs for safe, non-integrated human cell reprogramming.

* Induced pluripotent stem cells, commonly abbreviated as iPS cells or iPSCs are a type of pluripotent stem cell artificially derived from a non-pluripotent cells - typically an adult somatic cell - by inducing a 'forced' expression of specific genes.