Motor Neuron related Phenotypic Screening Assay Service

Motor neuron phenotypic screening assays are a valuable resource for researching and treating motor neuron diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). These screening assays typically employ human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiated into motor neurons and utilize high-throughput, fully automated methods to assess the impact of drugs on these neurons. To learn more about our products and services, submit a project request, or request a quote, please contact us today.

Human iPSC-derived Motor Neuron

iPSC technology offers a robust solution for motor neuron phenotype screening. By reprogramming patient-derived skin fibroblasts into iPSCs and subsequently differentiating them into motor neurons, researchers can emulate the pathological processes of diseases such as ALS and SMA in vitro and conduct drug screening. This approach not only replicates the pathological characteristics associated with specific mutations but also enables high-throughput screening to identify potential therapeutic drugs.

Motor Neurons Phenotypic Screening Assay

• Use of Multiple Phenotypic Indicators

To enhance the precision of screening, we employ a range of phenotypic indicators. In the context of ALS research, for instance, the reduction of TDP-43 aggregates can be utilized as a screening indicator, in addition to cell survival. Furthermore, by integrating the detection of morphological abnormalities and cell functional activity, we can more holistically assess the impact of drugs on motor neurons.

Fig.1 TDP-43 localization and aggregation were observed by immunostaining in motor neurons from three unedited iPSCs and gene-edited iPSCs (WT and A382T lines).¹

• High-Throughput Screening Platform

High-throughput screening platforms are an invaluable asset in the field of modern drug discovery. At Creative Biolabs, our scientists leverage cutting-edge high-content imaging technology and automated screening systems to rapidly assess the impact of a vast array of compounds on motor neurons. By utilizing luciferase-labeled axon length changes as a phenotypic indicator, researchers can efficiently screen ALS therapeutic drugs with high throughput.

• Drug Repositioning and Small Molecule Screening

Drug repositioning is a strategy to use approved drugs to treat other diseases. This approach can significantly reduce drug development costs and accelerate the discovery of new therapies. Through phenotypic screening of iPSC-derived motor neurons, researchers found that certain anti-cancer drugs can inhibit protein aggregation associated with ALS, thereby extending the lifespan of mouse models.

At Creative Biolabs, our motor neuron phenotypic screening assay service employs cutting-edge iPSC-derived models and high-throughput screening technologies to deliver precise pathology modeling and screening platforms for drug development of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, enabling accelerated discovery of potential treatments. We invite you to contact us to discuss your project plans in detail.

Reference

1. Onda-Ohto, Asako, et al. "Specific vulnerability of iPSC-derived motor neurons with TDP-43 gene mutation to oxidative stress." Molecular Brain 16.1 (2023): 62. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.