CellCentric wins grant to identify epigenetics markers in induced stem cells

Grant

Cambridge University spin-out CellCentric Ltd is to head a collaboration involving Sigma-Aldrich, The Automation Partnership, Cambridge University and University College London, to define epigenetics markers that can be used as quality control tools in the reprogramming of adult cells to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.

The work is funded by £1.1 million from the UK government Technology Strategy Board.

CellCentric will work with Anne Ferguson-Smith and Ludovic Vallier at Cambridge, and Stephan Beck at the UCL Cancer Institute. The research, and its translation into products, will be supported by Sigma Life Science and the Automation Partnership.

Providing tools for understanding epigenetic processes is a growing requirement as induced pluripotent stem cells become increasingly important in modelling human disease in drug discovery.

The availability of reliable markers to measure epigenetic-related reprogramming events within cells is a key requirement for monitoring the quality of iPS cells and their differentiation potential.

Ferguson-Smith, professor of Developmental Genetics, said the collaboration will help accelerate understanding of how epigenetic changes with functional relevance can be profiled and monitored during induced pluripotency. “As this area expands, the need for reliable methods to measure iPS cell change will be essential.”

Will West, CEO of CellCentric, said the relevance of epigenetics to a range of commercial applications is growing. “Better methods and tools for measuring and monitoring epigenetic changes within cells are going to be key to translating research into commercial opportunities.”

Sigma-Alrich has made it a priority to provide biological products and services for the iPS cell research community. Dave Smoller, president of the company’s Research Biotech Business Unit, said epigenetics is a key growth area and iPS cells in particular have emerged as immensely useful tools for the modelling of human diseases. “Working together with such a well-positioned consortium, we hope to deliver new methods and tools to aid researchers and accelerate the products of the future.”