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Direct Conversion Factors
Overview of Direct Conversion Factors
Creative Biolabs is your dependable service provider combining our advanced platforms together with the knowledge and experience of our experts. Our specialized scientist team provides high-quality and customized neuroscience research tools such as direct conversion factors to facilitate your neuroscience research.
Direct Conversion for Generation of Neural Cells
In a process known as direct conversion, the expression of specific conversion factors directly converts neural cells from one cell lineage into other cell types. In the last few years, the number of neuronal subtype-specific direct conversion approaches exploded, generating various neuronal subtypes.
Through this process, mature somatic cells can be converted to cells of the target lineage in a reasonable period, which is critical for time-sensitive pathologies. Direct conversion offers a valuable addition to iPSCs-based cell models to study the fundamentals of cell identity, investigate human neuronal function, model neurological diseases, and as a new strategy for in vivo cell replacement therapies.
Neural Direct Conversion Using Specific Factors
Specific subtypes of functional neurons can be produced from somatic cells by expressing many neural direct conversion factors. It activates a neuronal transcriptional program and permits the changes of different cell types quickly. The conversion of astrocytes into other neural cells can be achieved by the forced expression of the factors, including Pax6, Ascl1, Ngn2, and Dlx2.
- In the conversion of fibroblast into some induced neurons, Ascl1 exerts its function after induction and acts as a transcriptional activator inducing neuronal-related gene expression. Ascl1 is responsible for chromatin changes occurring during the process, leading to an upregulation of functional genes involved in neuronal network formation, neuronal processes, and neuronal maturation.
- Expression of conversion factor Ngn2 is shown to convert non-neuronal cells into induced neurons in the striatum following stab wound injury. Sox2 expression is also reported to convert astrocytes into induced neuroblasts following the differentiation into mature neuron cell types.
- Various direct conversion factor combinations can generate subtype-specific neurons from fibroblasts, and factor screening studies for neuron conversion lead to identifying many additional pro-neuronal factors, such as Brn3a/b/c, Brn4s, and Ezh2. These transcription factors promote specific conversion with distinct phenotypes.
Fig. 1 Direct conversion of hESC-derived hGPCs.1
Services at Creative Biolabs
Direct conversion is an approach to generate lineage-specific terminal cells using a set of cell-lineage-specific conversion factors. The process converts and commits matured and differentiated cells to specific terminal cell types without pluripotency. This technology is a promising tool to harness specific cells for many applications, including basic human biology research, disease modeling, and drug development and screening. Focused on basic neuroscience research, Creative Biolabs uses our skills for the discovery and production of direct conversion factors to meet your specific requirement of cell models development. Our dedicated staff and advanced platforms enable us to identify the direct conversion factors that are the most suitable for your development.
Creative Biolabs is dedicated to delivering our customers high-quality direct conversion factor production service that supports neuroscience research. Please directly contact us for more information. We look forward to discussing your inquiry and finding the best solution for your needs.
Our service begins with a consultation to determine the specific neural cell types needed for the research project. Once the desired cell types have been identified, our team of experts will work to optimize the direct conversion protocol to generate a pure population of the desired neural cells. The conversion factors used in this process are carefully selected to ensure high efficiency and reproducibility.
- Our team will provide regular updates and progress reports to keep researchers informed of the status of their project.
- Researchers will receive a detailed report outlining the methods used, characterization data, and quality control measures.
- Researchers will have the opportunity to consult with our team for guidance on experimental design and troubleshooting.
- Final Delivery: Comprehensive report including high-resolution images, quantitative analysis, and detailed methodology.
Our cutting-edge technology, expert team, and personalized approach ensure that researchers receive high-quality neural cells tailored to their specific needs. We also offer flexibility in our services, including but not limited to:
| Services | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Custom Neural Differentiation | As experienced experts in neuroscience modeling, we offer comprehensive customized neural differentiation services to effectively support your neuroscience research. |
| High-efficient Astrocyte Differentiation Technology | We have a well-established differentiation platform to rapidly and efficiently generate human astrocytes of high quality in terms of morphology, molecular profile and function. |
| STEMOD™ Advanced Drug Discovery | We have developed a comprehensive technology platform to provide one-stop CNS drug discovery services. Our platform has advanced neuroscience ex vivo models, neuroscience assay techniques, and neuroscience research tools. |
Published Data
In vivo cell transformation techniques provide an alternative method to regenerate functional new neurons in the adult mammalian brain by directly reprogramming localized neuroglia into neurons. Zheng Wu et al. reported an in vivo cell transformation technique that reprogrammed R6/2 and YAC128 HD mouse models into GABAergic neurons through AAV-mediated ectopic expression of NeuroD1 and Dlx2 transcription factors. Striatal astrocytes in R6/2 and YAC128 HD mouse models were reprogrammed into GABAergic neurons by AAV-mediated ectopic expression of NeuroD1 and Dlx2 transcription factors. This study suggests that this transformation may be a disease-modifying gene therapy for the treatment of Huntington's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
They tested whether the AAV Cre-FLEx system could drive the transformation of astrocytes into neurons in the striatum by injecting AAV2/5 GFAP::Cre together with AAV2/5-CAG::Dlx2-P2A-mCherry and CAG::NeuroD1-P2A-mCherry into adult wild-type mice. The results indicate that NeuroD1 and Dlx2 co-expression can convert striatal astrocytes into neurons.
Fig. 2 In vivo conversion of striatal astrocytes into GABAergic neurons in WT mouse brain.2
Applications
Our services provide a cutting-edge solution for converting somatic cells directly into functional neural cell types without passing through a pluripotent stem cell stage. This approach offers a faster, more efficient pathway to obtain neurons, astrocytes, and other neural cells with high fidelity, which is critical for neuroscience research.
- Disease Modeling
- Drug Screening and Toxicology Studies
- Neural Circuitry Analysis
- Personalized Medicine Studies
- Developmental Neuroscience Research
- Gene Function and CRISPR Screens
FAQs
Q: What is the typical timeline for generating neural cells using your services?
A: The timeline for generating neural cells can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the specific requirements. Typically, the process can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, including initial consultations, design of the conversion factors, optimization of protocols, and final delivery of the neural cells. We strive to accommodate your deadlines and will provide regular updates throughout the process.
Q: How do you validate the functional properties of neural cells generated through your service?
A: We conduct comprehensive validation of the generated neural cells through a series of functional assays tailored to your research needs. These may include electrophysiological recordings, calcium imaging, and synaptic activity assays to assess the functional maturity of neurons. Additionally, we can perform immunocytochemistry and gene expression analyses to verify the expression of specific neural markers, ensuring that the cells exhibit the expected neural properties.
Q: Are there specific types of starting cells that work best for your service?
A: We typically recommend using fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), or other somatic cells with a high proliferative capacity as starting materials. These cell types are generally more responsive to direct conversion factors. However, we can discuss your specific requirements and suggest the most suitable starting cell type for optimal results based on your project's goals.
Q: What are the costs associated with your services?
A: The cost of our direct conversion factors custom services varies depending on the complexity of the project, the type of neural cells being generated, and any additional customization or validation required. We offer competitive pricing and will work with you to provide a detailed quote after discussing your specific needs. Our goal is to provide high-quality, tailored services that fit within your budget.
Scientific Resources
References
- Nolbrant, Sara, et al. "Direct reprogramming of human fetal-and stem cell-derived glial progenitor cells into midbrain dopaminergic neurons." Stem Cell Reports 15.4 (2020): 869-882.
- Wu, Zheng, et al. "Gene therapy conversion of striatal astrocytes into GABAergic neurons in mouse models of Huntington's disease." Nature communications 11.1 (2020): 1105.
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.