Bioneer uses High Content Imaging (HCI) to obtain subcellular resolution read-outs for our CNS assays.      

HCI is a powerful tool in the field of drug screening, particularly for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Utilising human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons, including dopaminergic neurons, cortical neurons, and sensory neurons, HCI facilitates comprehensive phenotypic analysis essential for advancing drug discovery.  

Bioneer’s collection of iPSCs containing many disease-relevant mutations, combined with our expertise in cell differentiation for various neuronal subtypes, microglia and astrocytes provide physiologically relevant disease models for drug development assays. 

Using our advanced data processing workflow and Bioneer’s proprietary image analysis software we can investigate important cellular parameters, such as: 

• Neurite outgrowth 
• Neurite fragmentation 
• Lysosomal trafficking 
• Phagocytosis 
• Viability  

These are key parameters to understanding neurodegenerative pathology and are believed to be key drivers associated with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.  

Our HCI platform, integrating human iPSC-derived neurons and advanced imaging and analysis tools, provides a robust platform for neurodegenerative disease research. As a comprehensive platform, generating valuable phenotypic data at the cellular and sub-cellular level our team can assist in unravelling complex biological process or drug candidate effects for your research project.  

Our expertise in gene editing utilises CRISPR/Cas9 or TALEN technology to generate cell lines for in vitro modelling, with each cell line undergoing comprehensive quality control (QC) analysis to ensure you can obtain the best results with your cell line. Our gene editing experience includes:

• Single Base Pair Mutations: Introduction or removal of single bases, enabling the creation of perfect isogenic pairs.
• Gene Knock-outs: Precise removal of small gene segments to create out-of-frame deletions, leading to premature termination of protein expression.
• Sequence-Specific Deletions/Knock-outs: Targeted removal or introduction of repeat structures or domains within endogenous genes.
• Reporter Cell Lines: Insertion of reporters (e.g., GFP, RFP, resistance markers) as transcriptional or translational fusions.
• Inducible Gene Expression: Insertion of a gene-of-interest, controlled by an inducible promoter, into a safe-site locus such as AAVS1 or CLYBL.
• Inducible Gene Deletions: Using the CRE-Lox platform, gene deletions can be induced in differentiated cell lines when required.

With our advanced gene editing technologies and rigorous quality control, we are committed to providing you with reliable and precise cell lines for your research needs.

We possess extensive experience in reprogramming primary cell types (e.g., fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells) into iPSC lines using non-integrative approaches.

Our services include establishing iPSC libraries with full QC analysis, ensuring high-quality standards.

• High-Efficiency Reprogramming: Using episomal plasmids or Sendai virus for optimal results.
• Quality Control Pipeline: Rigorous procedures to guarantee the production of high-quality iPSC lines.

Our reprogramming services leverage advanced iPSC technology to provide high-quality, reliable, and versatile cellular models for cutting-edge research and drug discovery.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have revolutionised the field of human in vitro modelling, providing an unparalleled tool for studying cell types that are not readily accessible from human donors. This is particularly significant in the context of neurodegenerative disease research for disease such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, where precise and reliable models are essential for understanding complex brain functions and diseases.

At Bioneer, we specialise in generating neurons through both traditional growth factor-mediated differentiation and innovative accelerated differentiation techniques using inducible transcription factors such as NGN2. Our expertise extends across various neuronal cell types, including:

• Glutamatergic/Excitatory Neurons
• GABAergic/Inhibitory Neurons
• Dopaminergic Neurons
• Sensory Neurons

In addition to these neuronal types, we also develop critical glial cell types, which are essential for brain health and function:

• Microglia
• Astrocytes

To further enhance the physiological relevance of our models, Bioneer has developed advanced co-culture systems that combine these neuronal and glial cell types. These co-cultures offer a more accurate representation of the human brain’s cellular environment, making them invaluable for studying complex neurological processes and for drug discovery.

We offer the flexibility to develop models using our extensive collection of iPSCs that carry disease-relevant genotypes in genes such as APOE, TREM2, CD33, PSEN1, PGRN, and SNCA. Additionally, we can create unique models tailored to your research needs through our CRISPR gene editing services.

Bioneer’s cutting-edge neuronal differentiation and co-culture capabilities are designed to support your research at every stage. Whether you’re exploring new therapeutic strategies or conducting basic neuroscience research, our lsolutions can provide the insights you need. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with your next project.

At Bioneer, we offer a comprehensive range of molecular biology techniques as services, carefully designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients. These techniques are particularly crucial in central nervous system (CNS) disease models, where they can help clarify the mechanisms of action of drugs and other biological interactions. Whether used on their own or in combination with other assays and models, our molecular techniques deliver reliable and insightful data to support your research and development initiatives.

Our capabilities include automated qPCR setup, enabling high-throughput and precise gene expression quantification. We also specialise in siRNA knockdown assays, which can be carried out in both traditional cell lines and advanced iPSC-derived neuronal models, offering flexible options for gene silencing studies.  Classical techniques such as Western blotting or other protein analysis services can be combined with these services to confirm expression patterns.

In collaboration with our service partners, Bioneer also provides state-of-the-art next-generation sequencing (NGS) services and bioanalysis, offering a deep understanding of transcriptomic changes in CNS models.

Our experienced team is well-versed in spatial gene expression analysis, using cutting-edge in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques such as RNAScope. This powerful approach allows us to detect gene expression within the spatial context of tissues and organoids.

Bioneer’s team of experts is here to support your projects with technical expertise and a collaborative spirit, tailoring our approach to your specific research needs. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us.