New method for differentiating stem cells

Research Lead, Licensing Opportunity

A team of scientists at Durham University and the North East England Stem Cell Institute in the UK, have developed two synthetic molecules which can be used to induce stem cells to differentiate that into other forms of tissue. The compounds have application in the production of specific types of cells for use in drug discovery.

The new molecules, called EC23 and EC19, have been found to be far more stable than All-trans-retinoic Acid, the naturally-occurring molecule currently used to induce stem cells to differentiate in the laboratory.

The scientists tested the effectiveness of EC23 and EC19 on four types of stem cells, and found both found to be more effective at causing the cells to transform into specific types of tissue. While EC23 was particularly effective at producing neurons, EC19 was effective at producing epithelial cells.

One of the researches, Stefan Przyborski said, “"The key thing about these synthetic molecules is that they remain stable and are exactly the same every time you use them, ensuring more reliable scientific experiments compared to those which use ATRA. Because the results will be more scientifically robust, this will accelerate drug development using human stem cell-derived tissues and potentially reduce the numbers of animals used in such research."

"Another significant characteristic of these synthetic molecules is that they direct stem cells down specific pathways, meaning that they, individually, will be useful for very specific types of drug development work.”

Przyborski, is also Director and Chief Scientific Officer of spin-out company Reinnervate Ltd, which is marketing EC23.

The scientists are now working to develop a molecular toolkit of synthetic compounds which are tailor made for specific stem cell and drug development work.