title: Oxygen-controlled automated neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.
abstract: Automation and oxygen tension control are two tools that provide significant improvements to the reproducibility and efficiency of stem cell production processes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  the aim of this study was to establish a novel automation platform capable of controlling oxygen tension during both the cell-culture and liquid-handling steps of neural differentiation processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We built a bespoke automation platform, which enclosed a liquid-handling platform in a sterile, oxygen-controlled environment. An airtight connection was used to transfer cell culture plates to and from an automated oxygen-controlled incubator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results demonstrate that our system yielded comparable cell numbers, viabilities, metabolism profiles and differentiation efficiencies when compared with traditional manual processes. Interestingly, eliminating exposure to ambient conditions during the liquid-handling stage resulted in significant improvements in the yield of MAP2-positive neural cells, indicating that this level of control can improve differentiation processes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article describes, for the first time, an automation platform capable of maintaining oxygen tension control during both the cell-culture and liquid-handling stages of a 2D embryonic stem cell differentiation process.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Division, Centro Medico Nacional '20 de Noviembre' - ISSSTE. San Lorenzo 502, Del Valle, Benito Juarez, México City, 03229 México.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mondragon-Teran
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tostoes
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Lye
authors.forename: Farlan S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Veraitch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001331:Automation; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012015:Reference Standards; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014404:Tubulin; C462941:beta3 tubulin, mouse; D010100:Oxygen