Emerging Technologies: The Driving Force Behind iPSC Research Breakthroughs
Cell therapies are off to an impressive start this year, with Fate Therapeutics' stem cell-derived CAR-T cell candidate, FT825/ONO-8250, entering Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of solid tumors.
But workflow challenges still linger, particularly in iPSC cell line development. Issues like ensuring genetic stability, maintaining pluripotency, optimizing differentiation protocols, and scaling up production while adhering to stringent quality control standards continue to be critical hurdles for researchers.
Let’s break this down and explore the role of modern technologies.
This article is posted on our Science Snippets Blog
The power and challenge of iPSCs
Flexibility is a strength in scientific research, and among cell models, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a leading force. Their remarkable ability to differentiate into any cell type and self-renew indefinitely positions them as essential tools in drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling.
The typical path of iPSC research and development starts with sourcing somatic cells and reprogramming them into a pluripotent state. Scientists then select and bank the most promising clones, which are cultivated to expand their numbers using a precise mix of growth factors and cytokines. Rigorous characterization and quality control tests are the final gatekeepers, deciding which iPSCs are preserved for future use.
Here’s the problem: iPSCs need constant attention to ensure they maintain their essential qualities, like pluripotency, viability, and stability.
The variability issue in iPSC cultures
iPSC quality isn't a constant. It is influenced by a variety of factors including the source of the somatic cells, the reprogramming method, and the culture conditions.
Take the reprogramming step, if the protocol isn’t optimized, you might end up with a lower yield of iPSCs from the initial somatic cell population. The choice of media components like growth factors and cytokines also impacts the development and functionality of iPSCs , and their subsequent differentiation into specific cell types for therapeutic use.
Regular testing for viability, morphology, pluripotency, and consistent marker expression is the only way to make sure the best iPSC lines move forward.
Traditional cell characterization: a bottleneck
Successful industrial workflows must be streamlined for data generation at the lowest cost per sample. Then there is the challenge of translating large datasets into the most impactful decisions. Without the right tools, a lot of valuable time is spent waiting for critical data.
In iPSC development, one major area of inefficiency centers on cell characterization. Consider flow cytometry, the staple workhorse of phenotypic and functional analysis. A key limitation with traditional flow cytometers is throughput. Running an experiment consumes a considerable amount of sample and monopolizes many instrument hours. Generally speaking, every aspect of the workflow is complicated, from experimental setup to data analysis, which typically involves a choreographed routine between different software applications.
This comes at a significant cost to a lab that needs to assess the quality and pluripotency of large cell populations: longer time-to-results. So what’s the solution? Smarter, more efficient technologies that can shoulder more of the heavy lifting.
The path to a robust iPSC workflow
Here's some encouraging news: modern technologies are transforming iPSC research and development by introducing automation and streamlined protocols for sample preparation, data analysis, and documentation. A perfect example is the iQue® Flow Cytometry Platform, a robust tool for high-throughput screening with software that caters to the critical needs of compliance and quick decision-making.
This methodological shift is improving the scalability and throughput of iPSC applications for drug discovery, development and screening, and disease modelling. Moreover, customized media formulations, now richer in high-quality growth factors and cytokines, are boosting the success rates of iPSC cultures.
A combined approach maximizes efficiencies
How do companies achieve greater efficiencies? By integrating advanced technologies into a one complete iPSC development workflow. For instance, combining flow cytometry analysis with live-cell imaging allows for comprehensive, non-invasive monitoring of stem cell health and morphology.
In this context, the iQue® Flow Cytometry and Incucyte® Live-Cell Analysis platforms are the cell analysis ‘dream team’, complementing each other to automate key steps in cell line development.
Both instruments provide unique throughput advantages, conserving samples and resources, while providing you with thorough data sets, enabling actionable insights into your cell health, morphology, and pluripotency. The non-disruptive nature of live-cell analysis is especially useful for maintaining the biology of sensitive cell types, like stem cells.
Explore the resources below to discover more ways to streamline your iPSC research and development.
