Access consistent, co-culture ready human astrocytes
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Learn more about ioAstrocytes and explore the data
Learn more about ioAstrocytes and explore the data
ioAstrocytes rapidly acquire a consistent astrocyte phenotype and exhibit key functional activity
Modelling astrocytic phagocytosis, a key process in neuroinflammation and debris clearance, is often challenging. Primary astrocytes show high lot-to-lot variability, compromising the reproducibility of functional assays and making it difficult to obtain consistent results.
In this video, ioAstrocytes readily phagocytose Red S. aureus Bioparticles®, giving scientists confidence in a reliable human model to quantify phagocytic activity. At the start of the video, the particles are located outside the cells and due to the neutral pH of the media are non-fluorescent, but when phagocytised, they are exposed to the acidic environments of intracellular organelles and fluoresce bright red.
ioAstrocytes provide a robust platform to model neuroinflammation in vitro. When treated with proinflammatory stimuli, astrocytes secret a range of relevant cytokines, including the strong release of Interleukin 6 (IL-6).
Modelling of ioAstrocytes function in CNS drug discovery
Jeremy Krohn (DZNE) emphasises the critical role of astrocytes as mediators of brain function and their impact on therapeutic response. Using calcium imaging as a functional readout, the research demonstrates how human iPSC-derived ioAstrocytes and neuron-astrocyte co-cultures provide a superior alternative to animal models. By capturing spontaneous and evoked activity in human-relevant systems, the data highlights how ioAstrocytes respond uniquely to drugs and disease stressors, ensuring more accurate translation from the lab to the clinic.
ioAstrocytes can be easily co-cultured with ioGlutamatergic Neurons
Our scientists have developed a complete co-culture protocol, which includes simple step-by-step instructions for cell culture, recipes for media and information on required equipment and reagents, for phenotypic readouts like immunocytochemistry staining.
ioAstrocytes secrete cytokines in response to stimulation
When challenged with three distinct proinflammatory cocktails, ioAstrocytes exhibit a robust transition to a reactive state, characterised by the significant induction of cytokines such as IL-6. While the presence of IFN-gamma and IL-1beta in the initial stimuli leads to high detection signals, the overall secretory profile confirms a physiologically relevant neuroinflammatory response.
Delivered cryopreserved, the cells are ready for experimentation within days
In this video, our scientist takes you through the step-by-step process of how to thaw, seed and culture ioAstrocytes.
What do scientists say about ioAstrocytes
Jeremy Krohn
PhD Candidate | DZNE / Charité University of Medicine
"We used bit.bio human ioAstrocytes in our experiments to compare with - and step-wise replace - animal derived cells. The human cells were straightforward to establish, showed high reproducibility, and performed well in calcium imaging experiment."
Build neurodegeneration disease models
Model neurodegeneration in vitro with astrocyte-neuron co-cultures
Expand your research
Build neurodegeneration disease models
Model neurodegeneration in vitro with astrocyte-neuron co-cultures
Access 20 neuronal disease models with a single co-culture protocol.
View the co-culture protocol
Explore ioGlutamatergic Neuron Disease Models
Generate functional in vitro models of the CNS
Highly pure human iPSC-derived cells to build complex multi-cell cultures
Expand your research
Generate functional in vitro models of the CNS
Highly pure human iPSC-derived cells to build complex multi-cell cultures
ioAstrocytes are highly pure, defined and consistent, a great companion for your CNS model.
Combine them with other neuronal and glia ioCells to generate complex multi-cell cultures.
ioGlutamatergic Neurons
ioMicroglia
ioOligodendrocyte-like cells
Study neuroinflammation
Assess cell damage, microglia activation and cytokine release
Expand your research
Study neuroinflammation
Assess cell damage, microglia activation and cytokine release
Interested in optimising your neuroinflammation studies?
Move into a multi-cellular model using different cell types:
ioMicroglia Male
ioGlutamatergic Neurons
ioOligodendrocyte-like cells
Tailor experimental conditions to answer your scientific question by including ioDisease Model Cells with disease-related mutations.
Study disease-related mutations
Make true comparisons with a genetically-matched control
Expand your research
Study disease-related mutations
Make true comparisons with a genetically-matched control
Build your custom disease model into the ioAstrocytes wild type. Use the genetically matched control in your experiments to make true comparisons in your data, being confident that even subtle variances in your data are attributable to your mutation of interest.
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ioAstrocytes user manual | bit.bio
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How to culture ioAstrocytes
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Co-culturing ioGlutamatergic Neurons and ioAstrocytes | bit.bio
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Reprogramming the stem cell for a new generation of cures
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NRN1 as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease
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Astrocytic calcium imaging – from mouse to human systems
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Uncovering the Glioma Microenvironment With In Vitro Neuronal Models | bit.bio
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Exploring the critical roles of astrocytes in health and disease | bit.bio
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Co-culturing ioGlutamatergic Neurons and ioAstrocytes | bit.bio
Download protocol