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Stem Cell Related Patent Number US6294346
| Title: | Use of multipotent neural stem cells and their progeny for the screening of drugs and other biological agents | | Inventors: | Weiss, Samuel; Calgary, Canada
Reynolds, Brent; Calgary, Canada
Hammang, Joseph P.; Barrington, RI, USA
Baetge, E. Edward; Barrington, RI, USA | | Summary: | Described herein are methods of screening biological agents involved in the proliferation, differentiation and survival of central nervous system cells. The invention relates to a process for determining the effect of a biological agent on multipotent neural stem cell progeny. Further disclosed are methods by which multipotent neural stem cells are induced to proliferate in culture and in the presence of growth factors, after having been obtained from either normal neural tissue or from a donor afflicted with a disease such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease or Down's Syndrome. The biological agents described herein may be a virus, a protein, a peptide, an amino acid, a lipid, a carbohydrate, a nucleic acid, a drug or a pro-drug. Also included are methods of screening the effects of biological agents on a clonal population of neural cells. Therapeutic applications in drug screening are provided. | | Abstract: | A culture method for determining the effect of a biological agent on multipotent neural stem cell progeny is provided. In the presence of growth factors, multipotent neural stem cells are induced to proliferate in culture. The multipotent neural stem cells may be obtained from normal neural tissue or from a donor afflicted with a disease such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease or Down's Syndrome. At various stages in the differentiation process of the multipotent neural stem cell progeny, the effects of a biological agent, such as a virus, protein, peptide, amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, nucleic acid or a drug or pro-drug on cell activity are determined. Additionally, a method of screening the effects of biological agents on a clonal population of neural cells is provided. The technology provides an efficient method for the generation of large numbers of pre- and post-natal neural cells under controlled, defined conditions. The disclosed cultures provide an optimal source of normal and diseased neural cells at various developmental stages, which can be screened for potential side effects in addition to testing the action and efficacy of different biological agents. | | US Patent Website: | Click Here for Full Text of Patent | | Title Number: | US6294346 | | Application Number: | US1995000484406 | | Date Filed: | 07/06/1995 | | Date Published: | 25/09/2001 | | Assignee: | NeuroSpheres Holdings Ltd., Alberta, Canada |
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