The benefits of working with iPSC Reprogramming Services

A major advantage of working with human iPSCs, compared to pluripotent embryonic stem cells, is that these cells have a known phenotype, unlike pluripotent cells from embryos in which the phenotype is unknown.

Similar to human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), iPSCs can be generated and used as a cellular tool to unravel mechanisms of human development and to model diseases in a manner not possible before given that many of these diseases do not occur until later in life. iPSCs also provide a human model system, which is important to consider as certain disease models such as Alzheimer’s disease cannot be accurately replicated in animal models.

Besides these fundamental aspects of human biology and physiology that are revealed using iPSC or iPSC-derived cells, these cells hold an immense potential for cell-based therapies, and for the discovery of new or personalized pharmacological treatments for many disorders. An additional advantage is that many of the ethical concerns around the derivation of hESCs are not applicable to the derivation of iPSCs. 

What are the advantages of outsourcing the reprogramming of adult cells into iPSCs?

1. Our iPSC Reprogramming experts are your experts

One of the key advantages of using an iPSC reprogramming services, such as those offered by Sampled, is the convenience it offers. Before even working with the cells, researching the protocols, best practices and reagents required for efficient and reliable iPSC reprogramming can be a time-consuming and costly process.

By outsourcing this work to a service provider such as Sampled, researchers can access the latest reprogramming iPSC protocols and technologies, which ensures a higher level of efficiency and accuracy in the reprogramming process. We know that reprogramming protocols are long and laborious, and that one simple error can set back researchers by weeks. By outsourcing cell reprogramming, you can stay one step ahead by focusing on the work that matters most and not wasting any time on experiments that fail due to insufficient expertise or knowledge.

2. Quality control that is tailored to meet your needs

By outsourcing iPSC reprogramming services, you are able to tailor the quality control tests in order to get exactly what you need. At Sampled our human iPSC generation service come with several quality control tests as standard. Every cell undergoes rigorous testing to ensure their quality and consistency:

• Sterility testing including mycoplasma
• Cell identity confirmation using 96 SNP Fluidigm Panel
• Post thaw viability
• Expression of stemness markers through FACS analysis of the dual expression of Oct4 and Tra-1-60

This gives researchers confidence in the cells they are using and provides them with a reliable source of cells for their research. Furthermore, we offer bespoke quality control options that include:

• Analysis of pluripotency through Scorecard: Demonstration of pluripotency using in vitro assays such as embryoid body formation
• Analysis of pluripotency through Pluritest: Demonstration of stemness using a gene expression array
• Reprogramming factor persistence assays that ensure the loss of exogenous reprogramming factors
• Assessment of iPSC genomic stability by G-banded karyotyping

3. Save on capital expenditure

Outsourcing iPSC reprogramming services can provide significant cost savings. As mentioned earlier, setting up and maintaining an efficient iPSC reprogramming protocol requires a considerable investment in time and resources. Hiring and maintaining staff members to grow, maintain and reprogram cells is an expensive venture which becomes more costly when the cost of reagents and equipment is also added.  By outsourcing to a service that specializes in iPSC generation, researchers can also save money from not having wasted reagents and cells on failed attempts to reprogram them. This cost-saving can be particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized enterprises, as well as academic institutions with limited budgets.

4. Saving time

Meeting deadlines is a priority for every business regardless of its size, which is why outsourcing to a service provider that can generate iPSCs is a powerful reason why researchers are turning to Sampled for iPSC reprogramming services. Instead of trying and failing to reprogram cells over and over again, which inevitably pushes back deadlines, outsourcing gives researchers peace of mind that their iPSCs will arrive on time and is exactly what they need to conduct their investigations. Moreover, outsourcing to a service provider allows researchers to scale up their research without worrying about expanding their lab space, head count or costs associated with purchasing more resources.

In summary, outsourcing iPSC reprogramming services from cells to iPSCs could offer numerous advantages compared to reprogramming iPSCs in house. It saves time, provides access to highly-characterized human iPSCs, produces cells of higher quality, and can provide significant cost savings. Consequently, more organizations and researchers are turning to iPSC generation services to take advantage of these benefits.

To learn more about how our iPSC reprogramming services work, talk to an expert today

How does CRISPR gene editing work?

When CRISPR Cas9 protein is added to a cell, along with a strand of guide RNA, the Cas9 protein first binds to the guide RNA. This complex is then able to move along the DNA sequence until it locates a specific sequence of DNA (approximately 20 base pairs long) that matches the guide RNA. Once the complex locates the specific sequence or gene it was programmed to, it cuts the DNA before mutations are introduced to make precise changes to the DNA sequence. This can include removing the sequence or turning the genes on/off by changing the one letter of the DNA code to another.  

The promise of CRISPR technology is very exciting as the technology opens doors for groundbreaking changes to everyday life, including the prevention and treatment of many diseases, increasing crop yield and even editing out harmful genes within the DNA of fetuses.

So, what are the benefits of outsourcing CRISPR gene editing?

While some research institutions have developed in-house expertise in CRISPR gene editing, there are several compelling reasons why outsourcing these services can be beneficial. In this blog, we will explore some of the five reasons why outsourcing CRISPR gene editing services can be advantageous.

Access to specialized expertise

CRISPR gene editing is a complex and rapidly evolving technology that requires specialized expertise to execute with precision and accuracy. With CRISPR being a new technology, there is a lack of user friendly guides or resources to help researchers who wish to carry out CRISPR by themselves. This has led to scientists who are unfamiliar with protocols attempting their experiments several times before achieving some success, with many citing that the optimization step is particularly difficult to execute properly. The success achieved by the few who have managed to delete/insert genes is limited however, as editing efficiency is far lower than they would hope.

By repeating the same experiment several times, only to obtain low editing efficiency, researchers who have tried to execute CRISPR research are wasting not only time and resources but money too. Outsourcing gene editing services to a specialized service provider such as Sampled allows researchers to gain access to a team of experienced and knowledgeable experts with deep expertise in this field. We  are equipped with the latest gene editing tools and technologies, allowing us to deliver efficient and effective solutions for a wide range of gene editing applications.

Cost-effective solution

Outsourcing CRISPR gene editing services can be a cost-effective solution for research institutions and biotech companies. The cost of setting up an in-house gene editing laboratory can be high, as it requires significant investments in equipment, personnel, and training which can take a long time. By outsourcing gene editing services, institutions and companies can save on these costs and leverage the expertise of specialized service providers who have already made these investments.

Flexibility and scalability

Outsourcing CRISPR gene editing services to Sampled offers flexibility and scalability. We can quickly adapt to your project needs and timelines changing, providing researchers with the ability to scale up or down their gene editing projects as required. This flexibility can be particularly valuable in situations where resources are limited or where project timelines are subject to change.

Quality assurance

Outsourcing gene editing services can also provide researchers with quality assurance and peace of mind. Our tried and tested established protocols and quality control processes are in place to ensure that all gene editing projects are executed to the highest standards of accuracy, efficiency, and safety. By outsourcing gene editing services, researchers can be confident that their gene editing projects will be executed to the highest standards, providing reliable and reproducible results.

Regulatory compliance

CRISPR gene editing is subject to stringent regulatory compliance requirements, particularly when it comes to clinical trial research. By outsourcing gene editing services to a service provider that specializes in regulatory compliance, researchers can ensure that their projects meet all regulatory requirements and standards which in turn ensures your project won’t suffer delays. This can be particularly important for researchers seeking to develop new gene therapies or other clinical applications of CRISPR gene editing.

The benefits of outsourcing CRISPR gene editing work to Sampled

We accept induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) directly from clients or those selected from repositories housed at Sampled such as National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH; https://www.nimhgenetics.org/) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS; https://stemcells.nindsgenetics.org/). Our trained experts can discuss your needs and help with experimental design so that you can be assured that the cells to be edited meet your expectations. Furthermore, our cells undergo rigorous quality control testing to ensure that you will receive a 100% homogeneous population, this is crucial for investigations such as drug screening studies to minimize noise and prevent genetic drift within cell populations.

To summarize, outsourcing CRISPR gene editing services can provide many benefits to research institutions and biotech companies. By gaining access to specialized expertise, cost-effective solutions, flexibility, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, researchers can execute their gene editing projects with confidence and achieve their desired outcomes, without having to become CRISPR experts overnight.

To get in touch with our experts and learn more about our Sampled Labs Services click here.