bit.bio has launched the first offering from its new product range ioCRISPR-Ready Cells, which allow research and drug discovery scientists to knockout any gene of interest in glutamatergic neurons.
CRISPR-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons are first-in-class stem-cell derived human neurons containing a constitutively-expressed Cas9 nuclease for gene knockouts and CRISPR screens.
The potential applications include studies of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease as well as certain types of dementia.
ioCells products are reprogrammed from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by opti-ox, bit.bio’s precision cell programming technology.
Mark Kotter, bit.bio Founder and CEO, said: “Today, we’re bringing simplicity to complexity. With ioCRISPR-Ready Cells, we’re putting the future of genomics in the hands of every scientist. This is the next step on our mission to democratise access to human cells and we look forward to seeing the breakthroughs and discoveries that will be enabled by this new product range.”
The neurons arrive ready-to-use and can enable researchers to achieve functional experimental readouts in days and without prior expertise in iPSC differentiation or guide RNA delivery optimisation.
Farah Patell-Socha, bit.bio VP Research Products, added: “Scientists will now have access to a powerful functional genomics tool to study genes of interest in a defined human iPSC-derived cell system. Gene knockout experiments such as CRISPR screens that would previously require substantial time and specialised skills can now be undertaken in weeks by scientists with all levels of experience.”
