Through human stem cells, aims to build cellular models of the brain on a dish for discovery and translational purposes and integrating preclinical therapies.
Breakthroughs in stem cell biology enables the team to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that give rise to a variety of different patient-derived cell types, from 2D neurons to 3D brain organoids. Since 2014, building on these advances, Dr. Thomas Durcan and his team established a first of its kind Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU) in Quebec, focused on the use of patient-derived iPSCs to better understand and treat brain disorders.
Located at The Neuro, McGill University, the unit is composed of 30+ members with expertise in generating 15+ types of iPSC-derived brain cells and 3D brain organoids. Academics and industry have a strong interest in working with patient-derived stem cells but often lack the expertise or access to the required patient-derived iPSCs. With an in-house collection of 180+ iPSCs, the EDDU has all the tools and resources to help users in generating and profiling brain cells from iPSCs for their projects. With the workflows and infrastructure available for automation, high content screening and single cell phenotyping across different modalities, the EDDU has all the resources needed by academic and industry users to apply human stem cells across their discovery and translational projects.
- iPSC reprogramming: Includes iPSC generation (3 clones), quality control profiling of line, data sheet generation.
- CRISPR genome editing of iPSCs: Includes iPSC generation (3 clones), quality control profiling of line, data sheet generation.
- iPSC-derived brain cells: Custom cell types that can be generated across control and patient iPSCs include dopaminergic, motor, cortical, sensory or enteric neurons or glial cell types (microglia, oligodendrocytes or astrocytes).
- High content imaging: Access to high content imaging systems with trained operators. Includes Opera Phenix (Perkin Elmer), Image Xpress (molecular devices) and a CX5 (ThermoFisher).
- Customized discovery/translational project: Working with users to facilitate testing of a therapy or target with iPSC-derived cells. With access to liquid handling infrastructure, the team can work with users to develop custom projects tailored to their needs with iPSC-derived cell types.
- iPSC-derived brain organoids: Custom cell types include midbrain, forebrain and gut organoids, or motor, dopaminergic or cortical spheroids with/without glial cells.
- Flow cytometry: Flow cytometry analysis of iPSC-derived cell types or CNS patient material. Includes a BD FACs Aria II for cell sorting and NxT Attune analyzer (ThermoFisher) for cell profiling needs.
- Single cell phenotyping: Single cell phenotyping of iPSC-derived cell types for users through the Parse Bio single cell sequencing workflow for higher throughput and multiplexing of samples. All wet lab and informatics are performed in house and available to meet user needs.
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Specialized labs and equipment
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| PerkinElmer Opera Phenix high-content imaging platform | Automated high content fluorescent imaging of 2D and 3D iPSC-derived cells both live and fixed. Connected to dedicated image analysis PCs. |
| Molecular Devices ImageXpress High-Content Imaging System | Automated high-content imaging of 2D brain cells, equipped with robot arm for multiplate screens. |
| BD FACSAria II Flow Cytometer enclosed in BSL Class II hood | Flow sorting and enrichment of single cells from human tissue/cultures. |
| ThermoFisher Scientific Attune NxT Flow Cytometer | Multiwell and multiparametric analysis of cell types. |
| Agilent BioTek MultiFlo FX multimode dispenser | Automated handling of iPSC-derived brain cells and solutions. |
| Agilent BioTek EL406 Microplate Washer Dispenser | Automated handling of iPSC-derived brain cells and solutions. |
| CELLINK I-DOT Noncontact Liquid Handling system | Immediate Drop-on-demand Technology (I-DOT). Setting up dose response panels for small molecule tests. |
| Thermo Scientific Matrix PlateMate Plus in HEPA Enclosure | Pinning of 96 and 384 well small molecule libraries. |
| ThermoFisher QuantStudio 3 and 5 qPCR platforms | For quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) reactions to measure gene expression in iPSC-derived cell types. |
| Bio-Rad Droplet Digital PCR platform | For droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) used in CRISPR genome screening. |
| Axion Biosystems Maestro Edge Multiwell Microelectrode Array (MEA) system | Electrical profiling of brain cells in MEA plates. |
Private and public sector research partners
- TRanslational Initiative to DE-risk NeuroTherapeutics (TRIDENT Initiative), Western University
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC)
- Raya Therapeutics
- eNUVIO
- Cervo Institute, Université Laval
Additional information
| Title | Hyperlink |
|---|---|
| The Neuro's EDDU Resources for Researchers. | https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/research/eddu/resources |
| The Neuro's EDDU Community and Resource Hub. | https://www.neuro-edduportal.com/ |
| Brains on a Dish: Revolutionizing Parkinson’s Disease research with brain organoids. | https://www.mcgill.ca/hbhl/article/research-spotlight-research/brains-dish-revolutionizing-parkinso… |
| The Neuro’s EDDU receives Canada Foundation for Innovation funding. | https://mrm.research.mcgill.ca/2022/10/the-neuros-eddu-receives-cfi-funding/ |