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Human iPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons

Access a toolkit of functional, consistent in vitro models to study neurodegenerative disease

Powered by opti-ox 

 

Glutamatergic neurons are the primary excitatory neurons of the central nervous system (CNS), essential for driving the synaptic signalling pathways that underlie cognition, learning, and memory. Dysfunction of these excitatory networks is implicated in a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The development of effective therapies for these conditions is currently hampered by the poor translational validity of animal models — where less than 10% of findings translate to humans — and the limitations of existing in vitro systems. Conventional protocols for differentiating human iPSCs into excitatory neurons often lead to heterogeneous cell populations. Moreover, the lack of isogenic controls complicates the study of specific disease mechanisms.

ioGlutamatergic Neurons are a rapidly maturing, consistent, and functional source of human iPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons that overcome these limitations. These cells are ready for experiments within days of thawing, can be easily integrated into multi-cell culture experiments and have been engineered to provide a portfolio of genetically matched, physiologically-relevant disease models.

Ready-to-use toolkit

Browse complete catalogue
ioGlutamatergic Neurons ioWild Type Cells
ioGlutamatergic Neurons cat no | io1001
CRISPRko-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons CRISPR-Ready ioCells
CRISPRko-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons cat no | io1090
New! GFP ioGlutamatergic Neurons ioTracker Cells
New! GFP ioGlutamatergic Neurons cat no | io1107
ioGlutamatergic Neurons HTT 50CAG/WT ioDisease Model Cells
ioGlutamatergic Neurons HTT 50CAG/WT cat no | ioEA1004
ioGlutamatergic Neurons TDP-43 M337V/M337V ioDisease Model Cells
ioGlutamatergic Neurons TDP-43 M337V/M337V cat no | ioEA1005
ioGlutamatergic Neurons APP V717I/V717I ioDisease Model Cells
ioGlutamatergic Neurons APP V717I/V717I cat no | io1063
ioGlutamatergic Neurons PSEN1 M146L/M146L ioDisease Model Cells
ioGlutamatergic Neurons PSEN1 M146L/M146L cat no | io1069
ioGlutamatergic Neurons PINK1 Q456X/Q456X ioDisease Model Cells
ioGlutamatergic Neurons PINK1 Q456X/Q456X cat no | io1076
CRISPRa-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons CRISPR-Ready ioCells
CRISPRa-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons cat no | io1099
CRISPRi-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons CRISPR-Ready ioCells
CRISPRi-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons cat no | io1098
ioGlutamatergic Neurons PRKN R275W/R275W ioDisease Model Cells
ioGlutamatergic Neurons PRKN R275W/R275W cat no | io1020
ioGlutamatergic Neurons SNCA A53T/A53T ioDisease Model Cells
ioGlutamatergic Neurons SNCA A53T/A53T cat no | io1088
ioGlutamatergic Neurons GBA null/R159W ioDisease Model Cells
ioGlutamatergic Neurons GBA null/R159W cat no | io1007

Learn more about ioGlutamatergic Neurons and explore the data

Learn more about ioGlutamatergic Neurons and explore the data

ioGlutamatergic Neurons are ready for experimentation within days post-thaw

 

ioGlutamatergic Neurons rapidly acquire a homogeneous neuronal phenotype upon thawing, as captured in this 7-day time course. Powered by opti-ox technology, these cells consistently convert to functional excitatory neurons characterised by >80% expression of glutamate transporter genes VGLUT1 and VGLUT2.

Delivered cryopreserved and ready-to-culture, ioGlutamatergic Neurons offer a highly defined, easy-to-use human model for translational research and drug discovery.

Dive into the product data

opti-ox deterministic cell programming leads to high lot-to-lot consistency in ioGlutamatergic Neurons

bitbio-PCA-plot-showing-lot-to-lot-consistency-ioGlutamatergic-Neurons

Bulk RNA-sequencing analysis of three independent lots of ioGlutamatergic Neurons reveals tight clustering at specific timepoints, demonstrating the manufacturing precision of opti-ox technology. Analysis of differentially expressed genes (|logFC| >0.5 and FDR <0.01) confirms no statistically significant variance between lots, ensuring users can rely on uniform performance and reproducible experimental data across every vial.

Prof. Marius Wernig and Dr. Mark Kotter discuss the paradigm shift of transcription factor-mediated cell programming and how opti-ox technology is industrialising the process. The speakers outline how this approach overcomes traditional variability to enable the scalable, precise manufacturing of human cells.

Listen to the ISSCR talk

ioGlutamatergic Neurons display synchronised network activity as early as day 31

bitbio-glutamatergic-neurons-activity-raster-plots-HD-MEA

 

Raster plots generated using the MaxTwo HD-MEA System capture the rapid development of functional networks in ioGlutamatergic Neurons co-cultured with human iPSC-derived astrocytes. Spontaneous activity observed at day 7 evolves into clear synchronised bursting by day 31, represented by vertical blue lines across 1,024 active electrodes. This confirms a rapidly maturing functional system ideal for assessing network dynamics and compound effects.

Dive into product data

ioGABAergic and ioGlutamatergic Neurons form a robust model for studying excitatory-inhibitory neuron imbalances

bit.bio-Network-models-for-epilepsy-research-glutamatergic-gaba-neurons

 

Co-culturing ioGlutamatergic Neurons, ioGABAergic Neurons, and hiPSC-derived astrocytes provides a physiologically relevant platform to study network hyperexcitability. As shown in the graphs (A) and raster plots (B), ioGABAergic Neurons functionally integrate to inhibit excitatory activity, reducing the number of spikes per network burst in a cell number-dependent manner. This robust multi-cell-culture can be used as a platform to model neurological conditions such as epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia in vitro.

Download the SfN poster

ioGlutamatergic Neurons Alzheimer’s disease model displays increased amyloid beta secretion

bit.bio-Alzheimers-disease-models-amyloid-beta secretion

 

ioGlutamatergic Neurons engineered with the PSEN1 M146L, APP V717I (London) and APP KM670/671NL (Swedish) mutations recapitulate the changes in Aβ peptide ratios observed in Alzheimer’s disease patients. This demonstrates their validity as an in vitro model to study Alzheimer's disease and for the discovery of drugs targeting the pathogenic Aβ pathway.

Dive into the data in a scientific poster

ioGlutamatergic Neurons 50CAG/WT  demonstrates Huntington’s disease-related functional deficits

bitbio-single-cell and network_development_HTT50CAG_WT

 

Charles River Laboratories leveraged the MaxTwo HD-MEA system to characterise bit.bio’s Huntington’s disease (HD) model. By comparing ioGlutamatergic Neurons HTT 50CAG/WT to their genetically-matched wild-type control, the team identified distinct functional phenotypes, including delayed network formation, decreased axonal branching, and reduced spontaneous activity. These results demonstrate the model's ability to recapitulate complex disease-related phenotypes, offering a valuable tool for screening.

Read the complete application note

ioGlutamatergic Neurons provide a robust model for ASO efficacy screening

bitbio-glutamatergic-neurons-ASO-delivery-gene-knockdown

 

ioGlutamatergic Neurons demonstrate high suitability for antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) efficacy screening following delivery by gymnosis. The lack of marked intra- or inter-plate variability confirms these cells as a robust, physiologically relevant model for validating therapeutic candidates.

Dive into the product data

Utilising GFP ioGlutamatergic Neurons for live-cell imaging and easy multi-cell culture tracking

bit.bio-GFP-glutamatergic-neurons

 

ioGlutamatergic Neurons have been engineered to constitutively express green fluorescent protein (GFP), offering scientists an in vitro, fluorescent human neuronal model ideal for culturing with other cell types, enabling effortless tracking in multi-cellular systems.

Stable GFP expression enables easy, real-time tracking in complex, multi-cellular systems, facilitating the study of glial interactions or network function alongside inhibitory neurons. This makes the cells ideal for live-cell imaging to assess neurite outgrowth, morphology, and survival in response to compound treatment.

Learn more about GFP ioGlutamatergic Neurons

CRISPR-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons enable CRISPR screening

ioGlutamatergic-Neurons-CRISPR-Ready-Pooled-Screen-scRNA-seq

 

CRISPRko-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons reveal distinct phenotypic clustering in a pooled knockout screen targeting 100 neurodegenerative disease-relevant genes. As visualised in the UMAP, single-cell analysis shows that aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) knockouts—including AARS1 and GARS1—group together, while non-targeting controls remain evenly distributed. Pathway analysis indicates that targeting these genes activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), validating the model's ability to recapitulate mechanisms found in neurodegenerative conditions like Charcot–Marie–Tooth neuropathy (CMT).

Learn about CRISPR screening

Delivered cryopreserved, the cells are ready for experimentation post-thaw

 

In this video, our scientist takes you through the step-by-step process of how to thaw, seed and culture ioGlutamatergic Neurons, which complements our expert scientist's top tips on understanding the importance of handling cells gently, preparation of coatings, media changes and cell density. 

 

Download the user manual

What scientists say about ioGlutamatergic Neurons

An image of Dr Shushant Jain

Dr Shushant Jain

Group Leader | In Vitro Biology | Charles River, 2021

"These cells enable us to move rapidly as from the moment of plating within 4-7 days we have mature and functional neurons."

An image of Dr Mariangela Iovino

Dr Mariangela Iovino

Senior Group Leader | Biology Discovery | Charles River

“Our major surprise when we first used the ioGlutamatergic Neurons was that after thawing the cells in 384-well format, we could see immediately after 2 days a nice neuronal network, and there was no well to well variability within the same plate. This made our assay quite robust.”

An image of Dr Koby Baranes

Dr Koby Baranes

Research Associate | University of Cambridge

"These cells provide a reliable and pure source of glutamatergic neurons, resembling primary human ones. They are ready-to-use which makes it much more easy for tissue culture work and for reproducible results.”

An image of Dr Jeremy Anton

Dr Jeremy Anton

Scientist | Charles River

"ioGlutamatergic Neurons are easy to use with a simple application protocol. They recover quickly after thaw and are able to form a mature mesh of neurons ideal for testing within a few days."

An image of Professor Deepak Srivastava

Professor Deepak Srivastava

Professor | Molecular Neuroscience | King’s College London and Group Leader | MRC Centre for Developmental Disorders

"ioGlutamatergic Neurons provide a useful system for studying the effects of IFN-gamma in a pure population of glutamatergic cells"

Expand your research

Click on the icons to find out more

Co-culture-hiPSC-derived-glutamatergic-and-gabaergic-neurons
Build functional excitatory - inhibitory in vitro cultures
Combine defined, consistent glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons
Expand your research
Build functional excitatory - inhibitory in vitro cultures
Combine defined, consistent glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons
Co-culture-hiPSC-derived-glutamatergic-and-gabaergic-neurons

Study network synchrony, functional connectivity, and drug responses using MEA in a more physiologically relevant neuronal network with balanced excitatory and inhibitory activity.

Explore ioGABAergic Neurons
Explore ioGABAergic Neuron Disease Models

CRISPR-ready-hiPSC-derived-cells-for-functional-genomics
Simplify functional genomics workflows
Perform gene knockout, activation and interference in iPSC-derived neurons and glia
Expand your research
Simplify functional genomics workflows
Perform gene knockout, activation and interference in iPSC-derived neurons and glia
CRISPR-ready-hiPSC-derived-cells-for-functional-genomics

CRISPR-Ready ioCells stably express Cas9 nuclease or dCas9 variants and come with optimised cell culturing and guide delivery protocols.

Start measuring readouts from gene perturbations and CRISPR screens within days

Explore CRISPR-Ready ioCells

Quad-culture-glutamatergic-neurons-microglia-astrocytes-and-oligodendrocyte-like-cells
Develop complex multi-cell cultures
Combine ioCells to establish models of inflammation and neurodegeneration
Expand your research
Develop complex multi-cell cultures
Combine ioCells to establish models of inflammation and neurodegeneration
Quad-culture-glutamatergic-neurons-microglia-astrocytes-and-oligodendrocyte-like-cells

Access our in vitro neuroscience toolkit to develop complex models for investigating cellular communication and disease mechanisms in the human context.

ioMicroglia
ioOligodendrocyte-like cells
ioAstrocytes

Engineer-disease-mutation-hiPSC-derived-cells
Perform controlled and reproducible disease modelling
Access an extensive panel of disease models across different CNS cell types
Expand your research
Perform controlled and reproducible disease modelling
Access an extensive panel of disease models across different CNS cell types
Engineer-disease-mutation-hiPSC-derived-cells

Study the impact of mutations related to neurodegenerative diseases in consistent, defined and scalable human CNS disease model cells with genetically matched controls.

- Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Huntington's disease
- ALS and FTD

Start effortlessly with our library of protocols

ioGlutamatergic Neurons and disease models user manual | bit.bio User manual
ioGlutamatergic Neurons and disease models user manual | bit.bio

DOC-1289 4.0

bit.bio

2025

Download
CRISPRa-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons user manual | bit.bio User manual
CRISPRa-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons user manual | bit.bio
DOC-2855 v2.0
2025
bit.bio
Download
CRISPRi-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons user manual | bit.bio User manual
CRISPRi-Ready ioGlutamatergic Neurons user manual | bit.bio
DOC-2856 v2.0
2025
bit.bio
Download
Preparing Culture Vessels for Glutamatergic Neurons | How-to Video Video tutorial
Preparing Culture Vessels for Glutamatergic Neurons | How-to Video

Dr Kaiser Karim | Scientist
bit.bio

Watch now
How to culture ioGlutamatergic Neurons Video tutorial
How to culture ioGlutamatergic Neurons

Prachi Bhagwatwar​​​​ | ​Research Assistant | bit.bio

Watch now
mRNA transfection of ioGlutamatergic Neurons | bit.bio Protocol
mRNA transfection of ioGlutamatergic Neurons | bit.bio
Download protocol
Co-culturing ioMicroglia and ioGlutamatergic Neurons | bit.bio Protocol
Co-culturing ioMicroglia and ioGlutamatergic Neurons | bit.bio
Download protocol
Lentiviral transduction of ioGlutamatergic Neurons | bit.bio Protocol
Lentiviral transduction of ioGlutamatergic Neurons | bit.bio
Download protocol
ioGlutamatergic Neurons ICC staining protocol | bit.bio Protocol
ioGlutamatergic Neurons ICC staining protocol | bit.bio
Download protocol
Co-culturing ioGlutamatergic Neurons with astrocytes for MEA assays | bit.bio Protocol
Co-culturing ioGlutamatergic Neurons with astrocytes for MEA assays | bit.bio
Download protocol
Co-culturing ioOligodendrocyte-like cells and ioGlutamatergic Neurons | bit.bio Protocol
Co-culturing ioOligodendrocyte-like cells and ioGlutamatergic Neurons | bit.bio
Download protocol
Co-culturing ioGlutamatergic Neurons and ioAstrocytes | bit.bio Protocol
Co-culturing ioGlutamatergic Neurons and ioAstrocytes | bit.bio
Download protocol

Product resources

Developing next-generation in vitro phenotypic assays for Huntington’s disease by combining a precision reprogrammed hiPSC-derived disease model with high-density microelectrode arrays Application note
Developing next-generation in vitro phenotypic assays for Huntington’s disease by combining a precision reprogrammed hiPSC-derived disease model with high-density microelectrode arrays
bit.bio | MaxWell Biosystems | Charles River Laboratories

 

Download
Sartorius application note - Advanced in vitro Modeling of Human iPSC-derived Neuronal Mono- and Co-cultures with Microglia Application note
Sartorius application note - Advanced in vitro Modeling of Human iPSC-derived Neuronal Mono- and Co-cultures with Microglia
Trigg et al. | Sartorius
Download
Producing 3D Neuronal Microtissues for Preclinical Drug Screening using ioGlutamatergic Neurons Application note
Producing 3D Neuronal Microtissues for Preclinical Drug Screening using ioGlutamatergic Neurons
bit.bio | Inventia
Download
Generating publishable neuroscience research in 12 weeks with ioGlutamatergic Neurons Case study
Generating publishable neuroscience research in 12 weeks with ioGlutamatergic Neurons

Professor Deepak Srivastava

Professor of Molecular Neuroscience and Group Leader, MRC Centre for Developmental Disorders

King’s College London 

Download
ioGlutamatergic Neurons Brochure
ioGlutamatergic Neurons

bit.bio

Download
High Content Analysis of 2D and 3D cellular models for target and phenotypic drug discovery Poster
High Content Analysis of 2D and 3D cellular models for target and phenotypic drug discovery

Lachize, et al

Courtesy of Charles River Laboratories

2020

View poster
Genotype and phenotype validation of an isogenic human iPSC-derived neuronal model of Huntington’s Disease Poster
Genotype and phenotype validation of an isogenic human iPSC-derived neuronal model of Huntington’s Disease

Oosterveen, et al

bit.bio

2022

View poster
Rapid and consistent generation of functional microglia from reprogrammed hiPSCs to study neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation Poster
Rapid and consistent generation of functional microglia from reprogrammed hiPSCs to study neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation

Raman, et al

bit.bio

2022

View poster
Generation and characterisation of a panel of human iPSC-derived neurons and microglia carrying early and late onset relevant mutations for Alzheimer’s disease Poster
Generation and characterisation of a panel of human iPSC-derived neurons and microglia carrying early and late onset relevant mutations for Alzheimer’s disease

Smith, et al. 

bit.bio

2024

View poster
Alzheimer’s disease models in iPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons show increased secretion of pathogenic amyloid beta peptides Poster
Alzheimer’s disease models in iPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons show increased secretion of pathogenic amyloid beta peptides

Veteleanu et al.

bit.bio

2025

View poster
Amyloid-beta induces toxicity and cell death in human iPSC-derived neurons: alzheimer disease in vitro model Poster
Amyloid-beta induces toxicity and cell death in human iPSC-derived neurons: alzheimer disease in vitro model

Bsibsi et al.

Courtesy of Charles River Laboratories

2024

View poster
An in vitro toolkit to study the cell-specific roles of glutamatergic neurons and glia in Alzheimer’s disease Poster
An in vitro toolkit to study the cell-specific roles of glutamatergic neurons and glia in Alzheimer’s disease

Oosterveen et al.

bit.bio

2025

View poster
An iPSC-derived neuroinflammation/neurotoxicity in vitro model of neurons and glial cells Poster
An iPSC-derived neuroinflammation/neurotoxicity in vitro model of neurons and glial cells

Bsibsi et al.

Courtesy of Charles River Laboratories

2024

View poster
Characterization of a human iPSC derived Huntington’s disease cell line suitable for disease modelling and drug screening Poster
Characterization of a human iPSC derived Huntington’s disease cell line suitable for disease modelling and drug screening

Iovino et al.

Courtesy of Charles River Laboratories

2023

View poster
Driving experimental reproducibility and lot-to-lot biological consistency in human iPSC-derived cells enabled by opti-ox technology Poster
Driving experimental reproducibility and lot-to-lot biological consistency in human iPSC-derived cells enabled by opti-ox technology

Newman et al.

bit.bio

2024

View poster
Establishment and validation of an in vitro co-culture model to study myelination using human iPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons and oligodendrocytes Poster
Establishment and validation of an in vitro co-culture model to study myelination using human iPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons and oligodendrocytes

Bsibsi et al.

Courtesy of Charles River Laboratories

2024

View poster
Harnessing CRISPR-Ready ioCells as functional genomics tools for drug target identification and validation Poster
Harnessing CRISPR-Ready ioCells as functional genomics tools for drug target identification and validation

Grabner et al.

bit.bio

2025

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Modelling neurodegeneration using a human genetically matched system: a next generation approach to study frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Poster
Modelling neurodegeneration using a human genetically matched system: a next generation approach to study frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Smith et al.

bit.bio

2024

View poster
Physiologically relevant media unmasks severe mitochondrial dysfunction in a precision reprogrammed iPSC-derived model of Huntington's disease Poster
Physiologically relevant media unmasks severe mitochondrial dysfunction in a precision reprogrammed iPSC-derived model of Huntington's disease

Monteith et al.

bit.bio

2024

View poster
Scalable and well defined human glutamatergic and gabaergic co-culture platform for studying excitatory-inhibitory neuron imbalances and the discovery of drugs to treat associated diseases Poster
Scalable and well defined human glutamatergic and gabaergic co-culture platform for studying excitatory-inhibitory neuron imbalances and the discovery of drugs to treat associated diseases

Krainz et al.

bit.bio

2024

View poster
Identification of neuronal subtype-specific splice variants in iPSC-derived cell models of ALS and FTD Poster
Identification of neuronal subtype-specific splice variants in iPSC-derived cell models of ALS and FTD

Veteleanu et al.

bit.bio

2025

Download poster
iPSC-derived Alzheimer's disease models show increased secretion of pathogenic amyloid beta peptides in glutamatergic neurons and responses to amyloid beta 42 in microglia Poster
iPSC-derived Alzheimer's disease models show increased secretion of pathogenic amyloid beta peptides in glutamatergic neurons and responses to amyloid beta 42 in microglia

Veteleanu et al.

bit.bio

2025

Download poster
Optimisation of mRNA delivery to overcome transfection challenges in hiPSC-derived neurons and microglia Poster
Optimisation of mRNA delivery to overcome transfection challenges in hiPSC-derived neurons and microglia

Tatar Ozkan et al.

bit.bio

2025

Download poster
opti-ox deterministic cell programming to enable the industrialisation of New Approach Methodologies Poster
opti-ox deterministic cell programming to enable the industrialisation of New Approach Methodologies

Newman et al.

bit.bio

2026

View poster
Lipid-Bilayer-Supported 3D Printing of Human Cerebral Cortex Cells Reveals Developmental Interactions Publication
Lipid-Bilayer-Supported 3D Printing of Human Cerebral Cortex Cells Reveals Developmental Interactions

Zhou L, et al 

Advanced Science News

2020

Using ioGlutamatergic Neurons

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Reprogramming the stem cell for a new generation of cures Publication
Reprogramming the stem cell for a new generation of cures

Davenport A, Frolov T & Kotter M

Drug Discovery World

2020

 

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Inducible and Deterministic Forward Programming of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Neurons, Skeletal Myocytes, and Oligodendrocytes Publication
Inducible and Deterministic Forward Programming of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Neurons, Skeletal Myocytes, and Oligodendrocytes

Pawlowski M et al
Stem Cell Reports

2017

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Compounds co-targeting kinases in axon regulatory pathways promote regeneration and behavioral recovery after spinal cord injury in mice Publication
Compounds co-targeting kinases in axon regulatory pathways promote regeneration and behavioral recovery after spinal cord injury in mice

Mah, et al

Experimental Neurology

2022

Using ioGlutamatergic Neurons

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Glutamatergic Neurons and Brain Cyst Formation Publication
Glutamatergic Neurons and Brain Cyst Formation

Bando, et al

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

2022

Using ioGlutamatergic Neurons

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Interferon-γ exposure of human iPSC-derived neurons alters major histocompatibility complex I and synapsin protein expression Publication
Interferon-γ exposure of human iPSC-derived neurons alters major histocompatibility complex I and synapsin protein expression

Pavinlek, et al

Frontiers in Psychiatry

2022

Using ioGlutamatergic Neurons

 

 

Read more
3D bioprinting of iPSC neuron-astrocyte coculture Publication
3D bioprinting of iPSC neuron-astrocyte coculture

Whitehouse, et al
JoVE Journal of Visualized Experiments 
2023

Using ioGlutamatergic Neurons

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Rewiring of the promoter-enhancer interactome and regulatory landscape in glioblastoma orchestrates gene expression underlying neurogliomal synaptic communication Publication
Rewiring of the promoter-enhancer interactome and regulatory landscape in glioblastoma orchestrates gene expression underlying neurogliomal synaptic communication

Chakraborty et al
Nature Communications
2023

Featuring ioGlutamatergic Neurons

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HNRNPH1 regulates the neuroprotective cold‐shock protein RBM3 expression through poison exon exclusion Publication
HNRNPH1 regulates the neuroprotective cold‐shock protein RBM3 expression through poison exon exclusion

Qiaojin Lin et al

The EMBO Journal

2023

Featuring opti-ox powered hiPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons with constitutive expression of Cas9

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Schizophrenia risk gene ZNF804A controls ribosome localization and synaptogenesis in developing human neurons Publication
Schizophrenia risk gene ZNF804A controls ribosome localization and synaptogenesis in developing human neurons

Sichlinger, et al

bioRxiv

2024

Featuring opti-ox enabled glutamatergic neurons iPS cell line

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Circadian clocks in human cerebral organoids Publication
Circadian clocks in human cerebral organoids

Rzechorzek, et al

bioRxiv

2024

Featuring opti-ox enabled microglia male iPS cell line and opti-ox enabled glutamatergic neurons iPS cell line

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Dynein and dynactin move long-range but are delivered separately to the axon tip Publication
Dynein and dynactin move long-range but are delivered separately to the axon tip

Fellows, et al

Journal of Cell Biology

2024

Featuring opti-ox enabled glutamatergic neurons iPS cell line

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Drug treatment alters performance in a neural microphysiological system of information processing Publication
Drug treatment alters performance in a neural microphysiological system of information processing

Watmuff, et al

Communications Biology

2025

Featuring opti-ox enabled glutamatergic neurons iPS cell line

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A triple serine motif in the intracellular domain of SorCS2 impacts its cellular signaling Publication
A triple serine motif in the intracellular domain of SorCS2 impacts its cellular signaling

Dalby, et al

iScience

2025

Featuring ioGlutamatergic Neurons powered by opti-ox

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Phenotypic screening with primary and human iPSC-derived neurons Publication
Phenotypic screening with primary and human iPSC-derived neurons

Markossian S, Grossman A, Baskir H, et al.
Assay Guidance Manual
2025

Using ioGlutamatergic Neurons

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Cell-Type Specific Molecular and Functional Consequences of TDP-43 Loss-of-Function in Human Induced Neurons Publication
Cell-Type Specific Molecular and Functional Consequences of TDP-43 Loss-of-Function in Human Induced Neurons

Filippa VG, et al.
bioRxiv
2026
Using ioGlutamatergic Neurons and ioMotor Neurons

 

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NRN1 as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease Publication
NRN1 as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease

Pugh DA, et al.

Alzheimer's & Dementia

2026

Using ioGlutamatergic Neurons and ioAstrocytes 

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Consistent and scalable human iPSC-derived cells for in vitro disease modelling and drug discovery Talk
Consistent and scalable human iPSC-derived cells for in vitro disease modelling and drug discovery

Kam Dhaliwal |  SVP Strategic Alliances | bit.bio
Dr Thomas Moreau | Head of Research | bit.bio


Talk at ELRIG Drug Discovery Digital

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Industrialising Cellular Reprogramming: Leveraging opti-ox Technology to Manufacture Human Cells with Unprecedented Consistency Talk
Industrialising Cellular Reprogramming: Leveraging opti-ox Technology to Manufacture Human Cells with Unprecedented Consistency

Innovation showcase talk at ISSCR

Marius Wernig MD, PhD | Stanford 

Mark Kotter, MD, PhD | bit.bio

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In Vitro Approaches to Neurodegeneration: Characterisation of ioGlutamatergic Neurons as PD models Talk
In Vitro Approaches to Neurodegeneration: Characterisation of ioGlutamatergic Neurons as PD models

Dr Irantzu Perez Ruiz | Study Director | Scantox Neuro

 

Human Cell Forum 2025
Session 1 Track 1 | Modelling neurodegeneration in vitro with human iPSC-derived cells

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rAAV meets ioNeurons: Pioneering the future of translational neurotherapies Talk
rAAV meets ioNeurons: Pioneering the future of translational neurotherapies

Dr Martina Esposito Soccoio | Senior Research Associate | AviadoBio

 

Human Cell Forum 2025
Session 3 | Making complex human biology compatible with modern drug discovery workflows

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Partnering with Charles River to advance CNS drug discovery with ioGlutamatergic Neurons Video
Partnering with Charles River to advance CNS drug discovery with ioGlutamatergic Neurons

Dr Marijn Vlaming | Head of Biology, et al.

Charles River & bit.bio

Watch
In Conversation with Charles River Video
In Conversation with Charles River

Dr Marijn Vlaming | Head of Biology
Charles River

Watch
Modelling neurodevelopment | Investigating the impact of maternal immune activation on neurodevelopment using human iPSC-derived cells | bit.bio Webinar
Modelling neurodevelopment | Investigating the impact of maternal immune activation on neurodevelopment using human iPSC-derived cells | bit.bio

Dr Deepak Srivastava | King’s College London

Watch now
Rethinking Developmental Biology With Cellular Reprogramming | bit.bio Webinar
Rethinking Developmental Biology With Cellular Reprogramming | bit.bio

Mark Kotter | CEO and founder | bit.bio

Marius Wernig | Professor Departments of Pathology and Chemical and Systems Biology |  Stanford University

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What is the functional role of glutamatergic neurons?

Glutamatergic neurons are the primary excitatory neurons of the central nervous system (CNS), responsible for driving the synaptic signalling pathways that underlie cognition, learning, and memory. Dysfunction in these neuronal excitatory networks is a driver of neurodegenerative pathologies, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

 

  • How do ioGlutamatergic Neurons address the limitations of traditional differentiation protocols?

ioGlutamatergic Neurons address the heterogeneity and inconsistency of conventional differentiation protocols by providing a highly defined population of human iPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons with >80% expression of glutamate transporter genes (VGLUT1/2). Powered by opti-ox technology, ioGlutamatergic Neurons show unprecedented lot-to-lot consistency, as validated by bulk RNA-sequencing analysis, enabling reproducible data generation across every vial and every experiment.

 

  • What is the timeline for functional network maturation in ioGlutamatergic Neurons?

ioGlutamatergic Neurons are ready for experimentation within days of thawing and display spontaneous activity as early as day 7. When co-cultured with astrocytes, ioGlutamatergic Neurons rapidly evolve into complex networks, exhibiting clear synchronised bursting across active electrodes by day 31, making them an ideal model for assessing network dynamics on MEA platforms.

 

  • How can ioGlutamatergic Neurons be used to model neurodegenerative disease?

ioGlutamatergic Neurons engineered with disease-specific mutations (e.g., PSEN1, APP, or HTT) recapitulate complex disease phenotypes in vitro. For instance, genetically matched Alzheimer’s disease models display increased amyloid-beta secretion, while Huntington’s disease models exhibit delayed network formation and reduced axonal branching, providing robust in vitro models for drug discovery workflows.

 

  • How do co-culture models support the study of excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) balance?

Co-culturing ioGlutamatergic Neurons with inhibitory ioGABAergic Neurons provides a physiologically relevant system to study network hyperexcitability and excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) balance, allowing scientists to model neurological conditions such as epilepsy and schizophrenia.

References

1. Sanacora G, Zarate C, Krystal J et al. Targeting the glutamatergic system to develop novel, improved therapeutics for mood disorders. Nat Rev Drug Discov 7, 426–437 (2008).

2. Gasiorowska A, Wydrych M, Drapich P, et al. The Biology and Pathobiology of Glutamatergic, Cholinergic, and Dopaminergic Signaling in the Aging Brain. Front Aging Neurosci. 2021 Jul 13;13:654931

3. Pawlowski M, Ortmann D, Bertero A, et al. Inducible and Deterministic Forward Programming of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Neurons, Skeletal Myocytes, and Oligodendrocytes. Stem Cell Reports. 2017 8(4):803-812.

4. Tourigny DS, Abdul Karim MK, Echeveste R, & Kotter, RN. Energetic substrate availability regulates synchronous activity in an excitatory neural network. PLOS ONE. 2019 14(8), e0220937.