Vitro Diagnostics Inc. has entered a research collaboration with PhosphoSolutions, LLC to characterise intracellular signalling mechanisms involved with regulation of stem cell growth and differentiation.

According to a company release, PhosphoSolutions makes and supplies antibodies to medical researchers, specifically in cancer biology and neuroscience. PhosphoSolutions focuses on the generation of antibodies which can discriminate a target protein (antigen) based on its phosphorylation state. While phosphoproteins represent only 15-20% of all proteins, they regulate virtually every cellular function, including growth and differentiation. These phospho-specific antibodies can thus be used to assess the activity of a protein, not simply its level of expression.

"We are pleased to be working with Vitro to apply our expertise and antibodies to study intracellular signalling pathways involved in the growth and differentiation of Vitro's stem cells," said Dr. Ron Lickteig, senior scientist at PhosphoSolutions.

Stem cells exhibit immortality through self-renewal properties that are typically activated in normal development. Early investigations by Vitro and PhosphoSolutions have provided evidence suggesting interaction between these key regulatory pathways through phosphorylation of a well-known protein, GSK3-b, supporting work recently completed by other researchers.

The goals of the collaboration are to further investigate intracellular signalling mechanisms underlying stem cell self-renewal and those pathways involved with differentiation of stem cells into functional cells, including beta cells that synthesise and release insulin. These studies may advance the understanding of stem cell function and lead to new approaches to selectively activate the regenerative capacity of adult stem cells or to suppress overactive signalling pathways in stem cells thought to underlie growth of certain cancerous tumours, added the release.

Vitro Diagnostics Inc. is a biotechnology company that developed and manufactures the Vitrocell brand of human cell lines consisting of pituitary and pancreatic-derived cell lines and related products for various research and commercial applications. The company also owns proprietary stem cell technology with potential application in the treatment of animal and human diabetes.

PhosphoSolutions produces and markets phosphospecific antibodies to research institutes, universities and pharmaceutical companies throughout the world.