title: An automated high throughput screening-compatible assay to identify regulators of stem cell neural differentiation.
abstract: The use of Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) holds considerable promise both for drug discovery programs and the treatment of degenerative disorders in regenerative medicine approaches. Nevertheless, the successful use of ESCs is still limited by the lack of efficient control of ESC self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. In this context, the possibility to modulate ESC biological properties and to obtain homogenous populations of correctly specified cells will help developing physiologically relevant screens, designed for the identification of stem cell modulators. Here, we developed a high throughput screening-suitable ESC neural differentiation assay by exploiting the Cell(maker) robotic platform and demonstrated that neural progenies can be generated from ESCs in complete automation, with high standards of accuracy and reliability. Moreover, we performed a pilot screening providing proof of concept that this assay allows the identification of regulators of ESC neural differentiation in full automation.
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, National Research Council, Naples, Italy. laura.casalino@igb.cnr.it
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casalino
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Magnani
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Falco
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Filosa
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minchiotti
authors.forename: Eduardo J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Patriarca
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Cesare
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057205:Automation, Laboratory / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results