Project description:Induced-pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (IPSC-CM) models can improve understanding of pathophysiology through disease modelling and can be used for cardiotoxicity screening of drugs, ultimately reducing reliance on animal models; however these models have not been extensively functionally characterised, which was the aim of this study. A contracting IPSC-CM model was generated and characterised for atrial and ventricle-specific cardiac gene expression with RNAsequencing. These data are to be correlated with functional assays.
Project description:We apply short-read RNA sequencing technology to identify transcripts expressed during four time points of a human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocyte differentiation protocol, corresponding to pluripotent, mesoderm, early cardiomyocyte, and cardiomyocyte cell stages. The RNA-seq reads are used to generate custom protein sequence database for proteogenomic applications and downstream mass spectrometry analysis. We demonstrate that this custom RNA-seq-guided proteomics approach can be used to identify protein isoforms that are differentially regulated during cardiac differentiation.
Project description:The IMBA stem cell bank, iPSC Biobank, is a collection of induced pluripotent stem cell lines (iPSC lines) produced from skin and blood cells. The iPSC Biobank is integrated into the IMBA Stem Cell Core Facility. It stores and provides high-quality reference control panels of iPSC clones as a tool to the research community. The resource is available to all scientists and commercial institutions. The ethical guidelines of the iPSC Biobank are always based on prevailing laws and internal regulations.
Project description:We generated a BPTF knockout human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line using CRISPR-Cas9 and confirmed loss of the targeted locus by genotyping. Quantitative mass spectrometry verified complete absence of BPTF protein in the knockout clone. This validated line was used for downstream functional assays in the somitoid system, a 3D iPSC-derived model that recapitulates early human somite development.
Project description:Chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNA) are potent cholinesterase inhibitors that may also have non-cholinesterase effects. Several in vivo studies have shown that exposure to CWNA compounds induces damage in the brain and heart. Underlying mechanisms of this damage are a critical area of research for the development of medical countermeasures. This study utilized microRNA (miRNA) analysis to evaluate potential direct cellular effects of the nerve agent VX (o-ethyl-s-[2 (diisopropylamino) ethyl] methylphosphonothiolate) on human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons iPSC-derived neurons were treated with VX at concentrations of 0µM (saline control), 0.1µM or 100µM for either 1 hour or 6 hours. Total RNA was then isolated and processed for miRNA microarray analysis using Affymetrix miRNA 2.0 GeneChips
Project description:The integration of cell metabolism with signalling pathways, transcription factor networks and epigenetic mediators is critical in coordinating molecular and cellular events during embryogenesis. Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) are an established model for embryogenesis, germ layer specification and cell lineage differentiation, advancing the study of human embryonic development and the translation of innovations in drug discovery, disease modelling and cell-based therapies. The metabolic regulation of IPSC pluripotency is mediated by balancing glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, but there is a paucity of data regarding the influence of individual metabolite changes during cell lineage differentiation. We used <sup>1</sup>H NMR metabolite fingerprinting and footprinting to monitor metabolite levels as IPSCs are directed in a three-stage protocol through primitive streak/mesendoderm, mesoderm and chondrogenic populations. Metabolite changes were associated with central metabolism, with aerobic glycolysis predominant in IPSC, elevated oxidative phosphorylation during differentiation and fatty acid oxidation and ketone body use in chondrogenic cells. Metabolites were also implicated in the epigenetic regulation of pluripotency, cell signalling and biosynthetic pathways. Our results show that <sup>1</sup>H NMR metabolomics is an effective tool for monitoring metabolite changes during the differentiation of pluripotent cells with implications on optimising media and environmental parameters for the study of embryogenesis and translational applications.
Project description:Chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNA) are potent cholinesterase inhibitors that may also have non-cholinesterase effects. Several in vivo studies have shown that exposure to CWNA compounds induces damage in the brain and heart. Underlying mechanisms of this damage are a critical area of research for the development of medical countermeasures. This study utilized microRNA (miRNA) analysis to evaluate potential direct cellular effects of the nerve agent GD/soman (O-Pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) on human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons iPSC-derived neurons were treated with GD at concentrations of 0µM (saline control), 0.1µM or 100µM for either 1 hour or 6 hours. Total RNA was then isolated and processed for miRNA microarray analysis using Affymetrix miRNA 2.0 GeneChips