iCell Motor Neurons, 01279

Innervation of muscle fibers by spinal motor neurons is essential for controlling muscle contraction and ultimately coordinated movement. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS and SMA, are a result of the progressive degeneration of motor neurons that leads to an uncoupling of this process. In order to provide researchers with a model system for understanding basic motor neuron biology and to develop treatments for these diseases, FCDI offers iCell^® Motor Neurons. iCell Motor Neurons are a highly pure population of human spinal motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells with the following features:

• Fully differentiated, ≥90% (β-III tubulin) pure population of primarily cholinergic human neurons (≥70% Isl1/2 at 14 days in vitro)
• Display typical neuronal morphology with branching neurites and remain viable for an extended culture period (≥14 days)
• Express markers characteristic of motor neurons
• Available in commercial quantities
• Easy to use: Simply thaw and plate

These cells provide a reliable source of human neurons suitable for use within:

• Basic and translational research: Studying neurodegenerative diseases like ALS & SMA, myelination/demyelination, and neurogenesis
• Drug discovery: For diseases such as ALS and SMA
• Bioengineering: Development of neuromuscular junction models
• Applied markets: BoNT testing
• Toxicology and safety pharma: For testing chemical warfare agents, effects of chemical pesticides, etc.