Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, a leading life science and technology company, has entered into an agreement with XCell Science to launch genetically engineered human neural differentiated cells and accompanying culture media developed to advance the research of neurological diseases.

These new products, in combination with Sigma-Aldrich's existing product portfolio, provide unique and versatile tools for the study of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), autism, schizophrenia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as for drug screening and toxicology applications in the neural space.

The range of isogenic iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells)-derived neural cells include APOE knockout neurons and astrocytes, MAP2 and GFAP reporter lines, and a panel for assessment of neurotoxicity and neural protective drug candidates. All cell lines have been validated by genotyping, gene expression, karyotyping, and pluripotency, and have been further confirmed for their ability to differentiate into neural cells.

"The genetically engineered iPSC-derived neural lines provide researchers with disease models that can significantly contribute to deciphering the mechanism underlying the disease," said Shaf Yousaf, vice president of technology & business development at Sigma-Aldrich. "These new lines provide more consistent disease models than currently available for assessment of compound toxicity and efficacy, which can expedite drug development and considerably reduce cost."

"XCell Science is confident this arrangement will benefit the stem cell community by leveraging XCell's expertise with neural differentiated cells and Sigma-Aldrich's global reach and reputation. Our customers will be able to fully take advantage of the consistency and reproducibility these cell models provide, along with the ease of use enabled by engineered iPSC-differentiated cells," said Xianmin Zeng, Ph.D., XCell's founder and chief scientific officer.

About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich, a leading Life Science and Technology company focused human health and safety, manufactures and distributes 250,000 chemicals, biochemicals and other essential products to more than 1.4 million customers globally in research and applied labs as well as in industrial and commercial markets.