Aberdeen: Method for producing uniform GABAergic neurons from stem cells

Licensing opportunity

Aberdeen University, Scotland, has developed a protocol for producing homogeneous GABAergic neurons from mouse embryonic stem cells. The technology is for use in drug screening and may have therapeutic potential.

Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. A decrease in GABAergic neurotransmission is associated with many severe neurological disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia, Huntington’s disease.

GABAergic drugs have been used clinically to improve GABA transmission, through the modulation of GABAA receptors. However, the supply of the neurotransmitter depends on local GABAergic neurons, since GABA cannot be transported efficiently across the blood-brain barrier.

The ability to generate a homogeneous population of GABAergic neurons could assist in the development of cell replacement therapy for a number of neurological conditions, and provide a screen for drugs that modulate GABA production.

Aberdeen University would like to hear from companies wishing to license this technology or collaborate in its future development.

For more information, visit the project’s page at: http://www.university-technology.com/details/method-for-production-of-uniform-gabaergic-neurons-from-stem-cells