Validation of functionalized transcription factors as a novel cell culture supplements

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The market for cell culture media and supplements is estimated to be $6 billion per year as reported by Global Industry Analysts Inc. The overall goal of this project is to validate novel protein therapeutics consisting of transcription factors functionalized with a novel intracellular protein delivery technology developed by iProgen Biotech for use as cell culture supplements. This project represents a continuation of a successful collaboration between Dr. Stephanie Willerth, a Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Engineering and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Victoria, and the biotechnology company - iProgen Biotech. Our previous collaboration validated a novel protein therapeutic called IASCL1 for use as a cell culture supplement that promoted the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into neurons, which are cells found in the central nervous system. We also have promising preliminary data that IASCL can directly reprogram skin cells called fibroblasts into neuron-like cells. This project will further characterize ability of IASCL1 to reprogram fibroblasts into neurons as well as characterize the effects of other novel transcription factors, including ISOX2, IBRN2, IMYT1L, and INGN2, on the reprogramming process.