Glial cells include astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and associated precursor cells that enable the brain to function. Once known as nervenkitt (a German word meaning “nerve glue”), glial cells are the “glue” that holds the nervous system together by facilitating neuronal signalling, enabling tissue plasticity, providing neuronal support and axonal integrity, metabolism, and protecting neurons from would-be pathogens [1,2].
In recent years, a greater appreciation for the role of glial cells in neuronal homeostasis has helped expose potential therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disease. Glial cells play a complex, enigmatic role in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and others. Many research projects are now focussing on understanding the therapeutic potential of targeting glial cells in neurodegenerative disease [2].
With access to a consistent and defined source of human glial cell types, researchers can build the complex, physiologically relevant glial cell culture models that are sorely needed in for drug discovery. Whether co-cultured with neurons, as part of a multi-cellular glial-neuronal culture, or used to build three-dimensional tissue models, ioCells are well suited for tissue and neurodegenerative disease modelling; for drug target identification and validation; as well as drug screening among many other uses.
Take your research to the next level with our ioCells below.
Explore the implication of glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases in this webinar featuring Dr Valentina Fossati, Senior Research Investigator, The New York Stem Cell Foundation.
V6
2024
bit.bio
Dr Brian Gill, MD | Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery| Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Dr Tony Oosterveen | Principal Scientist and CNS Lead, Neurobiology | bit.bio
bit.bio
Whitehouse, et al
JoVE Journal of Visualized Experiments
2023
Using ioGlutamatergic Neurons
V2
bit.bio
2024
Mark Kotter | CEO and founder | bit.bio
Marius Wernig | Professor Departments of Pathology and Chemical and Systems Biology | Stanford University
Madeleine Garrett | Field Application Specialist | bit.bio
Dr Matthias Pawlowski | Head, Dementia-Sensitive Hospital | University of Münster
Dr Malathi Raman | Senior Product Manager | bit.bio
Dr Alex Davenport | Senior Scientist | bit.bio
Talk at ELRIG Cell & Gene Therapy
2021
Davenport A, Frolov T & Kotter M
Drug Discovery World
2020
1. Jäkel S, Dimou L. (2017) Glial Cells and Their Function in the Adult Brain: A Journey through the History of Their Ablation. Front Cell Neurosci. 2017 Feb 13;11:24. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00024. PMCID: PMC5303749 PMID: 28243193
2. Hanslik K, Marino K, Ulland T. (2021) Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Cell Neurosci. 2021 Aug 31;15:718324. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2021.718324. PMCID: PMC8439422 PMID: 34531726