Technical development for the identification of cardiomyocyte differentiation-promoting factors

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23791209
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pediatrics
• Research Institution: Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation
• Principal Investigator: KUSAKAWA Shinji 公益財団法人先端医療振興財団, 細胞療法研究開発センター, 研究員 (80462802)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: iPS細胞 / 心筋細胞 / 残存未分化細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The efficient technology for cardiomyocyte differentiation method from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells was developed in the present research. Firstly, transgenic iPS cells, which showed the specific expression of fluorescent protein in their undifferentiated state, were generated. This enables to conduct qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the extent of differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. Secondly, an existing drug was identified to kill undifferentiated iPS cells, but not to avoid the viability of differentiated cells. By using this drug, the establishment of purification method of cardiomyocyte from human iPS cell-derived differentiated cell clusters is prospective. Combined application of these results might provide an approach to identify novel factors, which promote cardiomyocyte differentiation.

Free Research Field

幹細胞生物学