Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been greatly used for studies on embryonic development and cell differentiation.iPSCs provide a stable source for either self-renewal or differentiation into suitable cells when cultured in a particular environment. Pluripotent cell culture was originally started by deriving cells from inner cell mass (ICM) from pre-implanted blastocysts, these were called embryonic stem cells. These cells after isolation can be grown on traditional extracellular matrices (like mouse embryonic fibroblasts, MEFs) or feeder-free culture systems. DMEM/F12 has been the most commonly used basal media in the culture of pluripotent cells. These cells are cultured at normal atmospheric oxygen levels, 21%, however, some studies have proposed that 4% oxygen tension may be better for hESC growth. Higher D-glucose concentration (4.2g/l) and osmolarity (320mOsm) that mimics the natural environment of embryonic tissue are optimal for the growth of hESCs. Supplements like N2 and/or B-27, in the presence of growth factors like bFGF, have been shown to increase pluripotency of these cells. bFGF, FGF2 and other ligands of receptor tyrosine kinases like IGF are also required or maintain self-renewal ability of these cells. TGF𝛃1, by its activation of SMAD2/3 signalling, also represses differentiation of iPSCs. Other compounds like ROCK inhibitors reduce blebbing and apoptosis in these cells to maintain their clonogenicity. However, an inhibitor for LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor, which is one of the pluripotent genes) has an opposing effect. Therefore, it is important to understand the culture conditions and media composition that affect downstream signalling in hESCs or iPSCs that may lead to their differentiation.
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been greatly used for studies on embryonic development and cell differentiation.iPSCs provide a stable source for either self-renewal or differentiation into suitable cells when cultured in a particular environment. Pluripotent cell culture was originally started by deriving cells from inner cell mass (ICM) from pre-implanted blastocysts, these were called embryonic stem cells. These cells after isolation can be grown on traditional extracellular matrices (like mouse embryonic fibroblasts, MEFs) or feeder-free culture systems. DMEM/F12 has been the most commonly used basal media in the culture of pluripotent cells. These cells are cultured at normal atmospheric oxygen levels, 21%, however, some studies have proposed that 4% oxygen tension may be better for hESC growth. Higher D-glucose concentration (4.2g/l) and osmolarity (320mOsm) that mimics the natural environment of embryonic tissue are optimal for the growth of hESCs. Supplements like N2 and/or B-27, in the presence of growth factors like bFGF, have been shown to increase pluripotency of these cells. bFGF, FGF2 and other ligands of receptor tyrosine kinases like IGF are also required or maintain self-renewal ability of these cells. TGF𝛃1, by its activation of SMAD2/3 signalling, also represses differentiation of iPSCs. Other compounds like ROCK inhibitors reduce blebbing and apoptosis in these cells to maintain their clonogenicity. However, an inhibitor for LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor, which is one of the pluripotent genes) has an opposing effect. Therefore, it is important to understand the culture conditions and media composition that affect downstream signalling in hESCs or iPSCs that may lead to their differentiation.
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been greatly used for studies on embryonic development and cell differentiation.iPSCs provide a stable source for either self-renewal or differentiation into suitable cells when cultured in a particular environment. Pluripotent cell culture was originally started by deriving cells from inner cell mass (ICM) from pre-implanted blastocysts, these were called embryonic stem cells. These cells after isolation can be grown on traditional extracellular matrices (like mouse embryonic fibroblasts, MEFs) or feeder-free culture systems. DMEM/F12 has been the most commonly used basal media in the culture of pluripotent cells. These cells are cultured at normal atmospheric oxygen levels, 21%, however, some studies have proposed that 4% oxygen tension may be better for hESC growth. Higher D-glucose concentration (4.2g/l) and osmolarity (320mOsm) that mimics the natural environment of embryonic tissue are optimal for the growth of hESCs. Supplements like N2 and/or B-27, in the presence of growth factors like bFGF, have been shown to increase pluripotency of these cells. bFGF, FGF2 and other ligands of receptor tyrosine kinases like IGF are also required or maintain self-renewal ability of these cells. TGF𝛃1, by its activation of SMAD2/3 signalling, also represses differentiation of iPSCs. Other compounds like ROCK inhibitors reduce blebbing and apoptosis in these cells to maintain their clonogenicity. However, an inhibitor for LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor, which is one of the pluripotent genes) has an opposing effect. Therefore, it is important to understand the culture conditions and media composition that affect downstream signalling in hESCs or iPSCs that may lead to their differentiation.
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been greatly used for studies on embryonic development and cell differentiation.iPSCs provide a stable source for either self-renewal or differentiation into suitable cells when cultured in a particular environment. Pluripotent cell culture was originally started by deriving cells from inner cell mass (ICM) from pre-implanted blastocysts, these were called embryonic stem cells. These cells after isolation can be grown on traditional extracellular matrices (like mouse embryonic fibroblasts, MEFs) or feeder-free culture systems. DMEM/F12 has been the most commonly used basal media in the culture of pluripotent cells. These cells are cultured at normal atmospheric oxygen levels, 21%, however, some studies have proposed that 4% oxygen tension may be better for hESC growth. Higher D-glucose concentration (4.2g/l) and osmolarity (320mOsm) that mimics the natural environment of embryonic tissue are optimal for the growth of hESCs. Supplements like N2 and/or B-27, in the presence of growth factors like bFGF, have been shown to increase pluripotency of these cells. bFGF, FGF2 and other ligands of receptor tyrosine kinases like IGF are also required or maintain self-renewal ability of these cells. TGF𝛃1, by its activation of SMAD2/3 signalling, also represses differentiation of iPSCs. Other compounds like ROCK inhibitors reduce blebbing and apoptosis in these cells to maintain their clonogenicity. However, an inhibitor for LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor, which is one of the pluripotent genes) has an opposing effect. Therefore, it is important to understand the culture conditions and media composition that affect downstream signalling in hESCs or iPSCs that may lead to their differentiation.
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been greatly used for studies on embryonic development and cell differentiation.iPSCs provide a stable source for either self-renewal or differentiation into suitable cells when cultured in a particular environment. Pluripotent cell culture was originally started by deriving cells from inner cell mass (ICM) from pre-implanted blastocysts, these were called embryonic stem cells. These cells after isolation can be grown on traditional extracellular matrices (like mouse embryonic fibroblasts, MEFs) or feeder-free culture systems. DMEM/F12 has been the most commonly used basal media in the culture of pluripotent cells. These cells are cultured at normal atmospheric oxygen levels, 21%, however, some studies have proposed that 4% oxygen tension may be better for hESC growth. Higher D-glucose concentration (4.2g/l) and osmolarity (320mOsm) that mimics the natural environment of embryonic tissue are optimal for the growth of hESCs. Supplements like N2 and/or B-27, in the presence of growth factors like bFGF, have been shown to increase pluripotency of these cells. bFGF, FGF2 and other ligands of receptor tyrosine kinases like IGF are also required or maintain self-renewal ability of these cells. TGF𝛃1, by its activation of SMAD2/3 signalling, also represses differentiation of iPSCs. Other compounds like ROCK inhibitors reduce blebbing and apoptosis in these cells to maintain their clonogenicity. However, an inhibitor for LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor, which is one of the pluripotent genes) has an opposing effect. Therefore, it is important to understand the culture conditions and media composition that affect downstream signalling in hESCs or iPSCs that may lead to their differentiation.
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been greatly used for studies on embryonic development and cell differentiation.iPSCs provide a stable source for either self-renewal or differentiation into suitable cells when cultured in a particular environment. Pluripotent cell culture was originally started by deriving cells from inner cell mass (ICM) from pre-implanted blastocysts, these were called embryonic stem cells. These cells after isolation can be grown on traditional extracellular matrices (like mouse embryonic fibroblasts, MEFs) or feeder-free culture systems. DMEM/F12 has been the most commonly used basal media in the culture of pluripotent cells. These cells are cultured at normal atmospheric oxygen levels, 21%, however, some studies have proposed that 4% oxygen tension may be better for hESC growth. Higher D-glucose concentration (4.2g/l) and osmolarity (320mOsm) that mimics the natural environment of embryonic tissue are optimal for the growth of hESCs. Supplements like N2 and/or B-27, in the presence of growth factors like bFGF, have been shown to increase pluripotency of these cells. bFGF, FGF2 and other ligands of receptor tyrosine kinases like IGF are also required or maintain self-renewal ability of these cells. TGF𝛃1, by its activation of SMAD2/3 signalling, also represses differentiation of iPSCs. Other compounds like ROCK inhibitors reduce blebbing and apoptosis in these cells to maintain their clonogenicity. However, an inhibitor for LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor, which is one of the pluripotent genes) has an opposing effect. Therefore, it is important to understand the culture conditions and media composition that affect downstream signalling in hESCs or iPSCs that may lead to their differentiation.
Site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) can be challenging, particularly during detection/confirmation of (SDM) in colonies by sequencing or PCR techniques. This common issue in SDM is heavily relying on designing of mutagenic primer pairs. The best solution is to design the mutagenic primers that have extended 3'-ends/3'-overhang. This would provide the annealing region between the mutagenic primer pair is essentially shorter. and hence ensure a lower annealing temperature for the primer pair along with a higher chance of annealing to the template.
Site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) can be challenging, particularly during detection/confirmation of (SDM) in colonies by sequencing or PCR techniques. This common issue in SDM is heavily relying on designing of mutagenic primer pairs. The best solution is to design the mutagenic primers that have extended 3'-ends/3'-overhang. This would provide the annealing region between the mutagenic primer pair is essentially shorter. and hence ensure a lower annealing temperature for the primer pair along with a higher chance of annealing to the template.
Western blotting is a widely used technique to size separate proteins from a pool of cell or tissue lysates. The technique has 4 major steps: a) gel electrophoresis, b) blocking and treatment with antigen specific antibody, c) treatment with secondary antibody and finally d) detection and visualization. Though western blotting is a widely used technique, detection of specific proteins depends on several factors, the major ones are antibody concentration, incubation time and washing steps. Key points for obtaining clean blots are: always prepare fresh buffer solutions and optimize antibody concentration. Given the advent of high-throughput protein analysis and a push to limit the use of lab consumables, onestep antibodies are developed which recognise protein of interest and also contain a detection label.
Gene silencing through the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) has become a primary tool for identifying disease-causing genes. There are several aspects for preparing and delivering effective siRNA to knockdown a target gene. The length of siRNA should be 21–23nt long with G/C content 30–50%. If a validated siRNA sequence for your target gene is not available, use siRNA generated against the entire target gene ORF. Always work with two or three different siRNA constructs to get reliable results. If you are not sure how much siRNA to use for a given experiment, start with a transfection concentration of 10-50 nM and use siRNA-specific transfection reagent to ensure efficient siRNA delivery in a wide range of cells.
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