Licensing opportunity
Researchers at Edinburgh University have developed a quick and simple method for culturing rat embryonic stem cells that does not rely on the use of feeder cells.
The method is more cost-effective and easier to use for embryonic stem cell manipulation (in vitro) and for the generation of transgenic rats and knockout than current methods which rely on co-culturing with feeder cells. This is costly and time consuming, and limits the ability to manipulate the cells in vitro, hampering the generation of transgenic and knockout rats - tools that are well established in the mouse.
The new media simplifies in vitro targeting of ES cells and gene expression experiments, reduces the risk of infectivity and variability, and can be used for high throughput and screening, which are difficult with feeder cells.
The method can be used for the production of commercially available media for rat embryonic stem cell culture. It can also be applied in the genetic engineering of rat knock outs for use in research.
A UK patent was filed on this cell culture technology in 2009 and Edinburgh University is looking to license this technology to generate a commercial media.
For more information, visit the project’s page at: http://www.university-technology.com/details/simple,-defined-feeder-free-media-for-rat-embryonic-stem-cell-culture
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