Tag: Alzheimer’s disease

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Introducing: inducible NEUROG2 MAPT iPSC lines

We’re excited to spotlight another valuable set of EBiSC iPSC tools for neurodegeneration research: SIGi001-A-15, SIGi001-A-17 and SIGi001-A-19.

These lines combine doxycycline-inducible Neurogenin 2 (NGN2) with different MAPT genotypes, enabling rapid generation of human neurons while modelling tau-driven disease biology in a controlled, isogenic system.

🔬 Key features:

  • NGN2 cassette inserted at the AAVS1 locus for robust, inducible neuronal differentiation
  • Rapid conversion to cortical-like neurons upon doxycycline treatment
  • Isogenic background, differing only in MAPT genotype

🧠 Genotype breakdown:

This design enables clean, side-by-side investigation of how specific MAPT mutations influence tau pathology, neuronal phenotype, and function—without confounding background variation.

All three lines meet EBiSC quality control standards, ensuring reliability and reproducibility for downstream applications.

💡 By combining rapid NGN2-driven differentiation with precise genetic modelling, these lines provide a powerful platform to study tauopathies, including mechanisms relevant to frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

A highly practical toolkit for accelerating translational neuroscience and therapeutic discovery.

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Happy 10th Birthday EBiSC!

Established in 2014 with support from the Innovative Health Initiative and EFPIA, EBiSC began distributing its first iPSC lines in 2016. Since then, it has enabled researchers worldwide to access and share valuable iPSC resources. The first phase of the project (2014–2017) focused on building the foundational infrastructure for a centralised iPSC biobank, including processes and protocols for an ethical and legal infrastructure, cell banking and quality control and data management, whilst the second phase (2019–2023) prioritised sustainability, refining and strengthening operations to ensure long-term efficiency, scalability, and robustness.

These achievements were made possible through collaborations with scientists internationally who contributed their iPSC lines in support of EBiSC’s open science mission. Their commitment has been fundamental in shaping a diverse and accessible collection. Thanks to these partnerships, EBiSC has:

  • Collaborated with more than 25 research groups across the UK, EU, and USA
  • Safeguarded over 1,000 iPSC lines derived from samples collected in more than 30 clinical studies
  • Shared lines representing more than 45 diseases
  • Included familial cohorts from rare conditions such as Angelman syndrome and FSHD
  • Distributed genetically modified iPSC lines, including gene knockouts, missense knock-ins, reporter lines, and inducible expression systems
  • Developed pre-differentiated and cryopreserved neuronal cell products
  • Advanced best practices and innovations in upscaling, automation, and cryopreservation

This rich and diverse catalogue has established EBiSC as a trusted international resource, supporting research across disease modelling, organoids, genomics, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine by providing access to well-characterised, quality-controlled iPSCs.

We extend our sincere thanks to all project partners, collaborators, depositors, and users whose contributions and engagement have been central to EBiSC’s success. We also acknowledge and thank Culture Collections for their earlier role as the EBiSC distribution hub. Special recognition goes to our teams at Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd and the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, whose expertise and dedication ensure excellence in cell banking, data management, and distribution.

Looking ahead, EBiSC remains committed to expanding access, maintaining the highest quality standards, and driving innovation in stem cell research. We will continue to grow our collection, adopt new technologies, and share emerging approaches with the community.

To deposit iPSC lines, access the collection, or explore collaboration opportunities in iPSC generation, banking, quality control, or differentiation, please contact us at Contact@EBiSC.org.

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2025 at EBiSC: new iPSCs, new partners, continued excellence.

As we finish our second year operating independently and sustainably, we want to take a moment to reflect on the progress we have made in 2025 and to thank our teams, partners and collaborators who have contributed to making it a success. It has been a year of hard work, collaboration and teamwork, fed by our continued commitment to building a sustainable, long-term resource for the scientific community.

Expanding the EBiSC collection with new disease relevant iPSC lines

This year, we were pleased to welcome a number of new iPSC lines into the EBiSC collection, strengthening the diversity of iPSCs we can provide for disease-modelling and translational research. Newly added lines include models for Alzheimer’s disease, Angelman syndrome, and congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) — each representing an important and fast moving area of iPSC research.

These additions broaden the scope of iPS cells and data which we are able to make available to researchers worldwide and reflect our commitment to continuing to provide a secure, sustainable and long-term home for iPSC lines generated across diverse research projects.

Improved access through new international distribution partnerships

To improve how we share resources to researchers worldwide, EBiSC has established new delivery partnerships to support regional and international shipping across Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the USA. These local partners help reduce delivery times, streamline logistics and lower shipping costs, ensuring that EBiSC iPSCs reach laboratories more efficiently than ever.

We look forward to strengthening these relationships in 2025 and improving access for new and existing users across additional regions.

A strong year for banking, quality control and data management

Behind every iPSC line in the EBiSC catalogue, a huge amount of work is invested into cell banking, quality control, documentation and data management. This is possible thanks to the strong partnership between Fraunhofer UK and Fraunhofer IBMT, who jointly operate and maintain the EBiSC collection. The shared commitment from our teams in the UK and Germany to quality assured cell banking and QC, robust and secure cryostorage and FAIR data principles ingrained into our IT infrastructure, ensure the longevity, sustainability and reliability of the EBiSC resource for years to come. A huge thank you to all involved!

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for the new year, we remain dedicated to expanding the collection, enabling access to high-quality datasets and supporting the global iPSC research community through collaboration, cell and service provision and development of new resources, tools and models.

From all of us at EBiSC, thank you for your continued engagement and support throughout 2025.

We wish you a restful winter break and a bright start to 2026.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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New iPSC Resource Available for Alzheimer’s Research via EBiSC!

A new study just published in Stem Cell Reports (PMID 40614728) introduces the IPMAR Resource funded by the UK Dementia Research Institute (UKDRI): a collection of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines designed to reflect high and low polygenic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. This comprehensive panel captures extremes of genetic predisposition across early- and late-onset forms of AD, with over a high number of donor-derived lines representing diverse clinical and genetic profiles pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+6ukdri.ac.uk+6ebisc.org+6.

Key highlights:

  • Models span high- and low-risk individuals based on global and complement‑pathway AD polygenic risk scores
  • All lines come with linked clinical, longitudinal, and genetic data

🎉 The great news? The iPSC lines are now available through EBiSC, offering a vital tool for disease modelling and further research.

➡️ Learn more and secure access via the EBiSC catalogue. https://ebisc.org/collections/ipmar_alzheimers_disease

📩 For inquiries or collaboration opportunities, feel free to get in touch.

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New publication: “Generation of a set of isogenic, gene-edited iPSC lines homozygous for all main APOE variants and an APOE knock-out line”

A new EBiSC related manuscript led by the EBiSC partner Bioneer and entitled “Generation of a set of isogenic, gene-edited iPSC lines homozygous for all main APOE variants and an APOE knock-out line” has been published in Stem Cell Research