TRAC CRM47: iPSC II: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSC); Differentiation to Neural Lineages
Co-Sponsored by the NIH Center for Regenerative Medicine (CRM)

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) represent enormous potential in that they are capable of differentiating into virtually any cell type in the human body. Directing this differentiation into specific cell types in a consistent and efficient manner enables researchers to investigate new therapy and screening approaches in patient-derived cells. This 5 day hands-on training workshop will provide participants with the training and knowledge to help the researcher bring iPSC technology to the laboratory. Students will gain practical knowledge for developing new cell lines from different cell types. Lectures will discuss the expression of genes required for inducing pluripotency and methods of making (virus, RNA, plasmid) and maintaining iPS cells. Lectures on conditions needed for differentiating iPSC to neural, epithelial, and hematopoietic lineages will also be discussed.

The emphasis of the course is on practical information that will help the investigator in the laboratory. Emphasis will be placed on deriving iPSC and differentiation to the neural lineage. Laboratory exercises are intense and will be directed by experts with a working knowledge of the techniques. Labs will cover methods for making iPSC and picking iPSC colonies. In situ analysis of pluripotency on live cells will also be conducted. Laboratory exercise on neural stem cells will include cryopreservation techniques and immunocytochemical analysis of pluripotent marker (Oct4) and neural markers (Sox1, Nestin and Sox2).

Topics: Overview; Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into NSC; Differentiation Methods; Cell Culture Methods; Introduction to Mouse and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; Cellular Reprogramming Methodologies; mRNA Reprogramming of Patient Samples; Optimizing mRNA Reprogramming Efficiency; Differentiating IPSC to Retina Pigment Epithelium; Epigenetic Understanding of Pluripotency; Differentiating IPSC from CD34+ cells; Differentiating IPSC to the Hematopoietic Lineage

Differentiation of IPS to Neutrophils; Preparation of Cells From Embryoid Bodies To Study Differentiation; Differentiating IPSC to Neurons; Techniques Used for neural differentiation; Neural Induction and Neural Expansion; NSC Staining for Pluripotent Marker (Oct4) and Neural Markers (Sox1, Nestin and Sox2); Cryopreservation of Neural Stem Cells

Benefits for Early Registering:

• Register by February 1, 2013 to take advantage of the early registration discount ($995). The registration fee will increase to $1,095 on February 2, 2013
  
  
• First 12 Registered Participants will receive a free vial of NSCs from either the NIH Center of Regenerative Medicine (CRM) or from a company - $500 value.
  
  
• 25% off discounts from Life Technologies on Neural Induction Medium or a iPS cell line.
  
  

Related Bio-Trac Course:
Bio-Trac 18: Stem Cells

Bio-Trac 43: iPSC I

Bio-Trac CRM 48: Using TALENs for Gene Engineering

Bio-Trac CRM 49: iPSC: Making iPSC from Blood

9:00 - 6:00 p.m.