New method for testing iPSC differentiation potential could lead to safer and more potent treatments

The discovery of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in 2006 completely revolutionized the field of stem cell biology. iPSC lines have become powerful tools that can be used to study human embryonic development, as model systems for human diseases. They are also helpful as a renewable source for regenerative medicine, where these cells are expected to play a key role in the development of many regenerative medicine therapies.

During recent collaboration, two companies, Atlas Regeneration and Insilico Medicine, demonstrated the close resemblance of iPSCs with ESCs at the pathway level, and provided examples of how pathway activity analysis can be applied to identify iPSC line abnormalities or to predict in vitro differentiation potential. The results indicate that pathway activation profiling is a promising strategy for evaluating the safety and potency of iPSC lines in translational medicine applications allowing scientists to test differentiation abilities of many iPSC lines in silico while saving valuable time for patients waiting for treatment.

Evgeny Makarev, Ph.D, COO of Atlas Regeneration, Inc., the leader of the study, said, "Regeneration Intelligence is unique among pathway analysis platforms. Using our algorithm along with proprietary pathway database, we established for the first time pathway activation profiles of iPS. We reused data from publically available gene expression data sets and evaluated signaling and metabolic pathway activation profiles for 20 human embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines, 12 human iPSC lines. Consequently, we identified PAS quality score lines as a novel prognostic biomarker that can identify impaired iPSC lines."

Anthony Atala, MD, CEO of Atlas Regeneration said, "Our Regeneration Intelligence platform has been used in many iPSC lines and is helping stem cells biologist to improve and speed up decision-making. Unfortunately, the entire process of verification and validation of differentiation abilities using in vitro differentiation assays typically takes 12 weeks and time is critical for definitive treatment, especially in urgent cases. With the help of Regeneration Intelligence, we may be able to significantly reduce the time and cost of the process."

About Atlas Regeneration, Inc. 
 
Atlas Regeneration is a Winston Salem, N.C.-based company utilizing advances in multiomics and big data analysis for drug discovery and regeneration targeting aging and age-related diseases. The company utilizes the Regeneration Intelligence™ and PharmAtlas™ packages for pathway analysis in aging and stem cells research, pursues internal drug discovery programs, and provides services to pharmaceutical companies. For more info please visit http://atlasregeneration.com

The Economist's annual Innovation Awards & Summit event in Hong Kong

Dmitry Kaminskiy, senior partner at Deep Knowledge Ventures is making headlines in Asia. In October he will be giving a talk on exponential technologies (‪#‎transhumanism‬) and artificial intelligence together with the chief scientist at NASA, vice-chairman of General Electric and many others at The Economist's annual Innovation Awards & Summit event in Hong Kong.
This event attracts some of the most interesting people in Asia and is an excellent networking platform for C-level executives.
Come to Hong Kong on the 14th of October and hear Dmitry Kaminskiy's talk.