Merck Millipore, the Life Science division of Merck KGaA of Germany, has introduced a new kit for the efficient generation of human oligodendrocyte populations from neural progenitors.

The Human Oligodendrocyte Differentiation Kit contains 500,000 characterized human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and complete expansion and differentiation media that allow researchers to easily and efficiently generate terminally differentiated oligodendrocytes in two to three weeks.

According to the company, Oligodendrocyte damage is associated with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and other demyelinating diseases. Having an adequate and reliable supply of human oligodendrocytes has been an ongoing problem for many researchers. Now the new kit allows for efficient generation of human oligodendrocytes from progenitor cells.

Currently, many labs working with oligodendrocytes either work with donated neural tissues, which are a scarce and unreliable source, or develop their own protocols for the differentiation of these cell types from neural progenitors, which typically results in low yields.

The Merck Millipore kit provides scientists with an easy and reliable source of oligodendrocytes. Each manufactured lot of Merck Millipore's progenitor cells is guaranteed to be greater than 70 per cent positive for the relevant stem cell markers Gal C and Sox10, which, along with the kit's validated medium and protocol, enables the generation of a high percentage of differentiated oligodendrocytes.

Oligodendrocytes are cells that provide support to axons and insulate nerve fibers with myelin, which allows electrical signals to be transmitted within the Central Nervous System (CNS). Diseases associated with injury to oligodendrocyte cells include multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. Clinical trials are currently underway to create replacement oligodendrocytes following spinal injury using human embryonic stem cells.