The Animal Modeling Core (AMC), in partnership with the UCLA Human Stem Cell & Genome Engineering Center (HSCGEC), provides University of Missouri investigators and external collaborators with access to advanced induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) services.
iPSCs are versatile, expandable human cell models that can be used to study development, disease mechanisms, gene function, and therapeutic responses. Through this collaborative partnership, the AMC provides a centralized point of access to validated iPSC reprogramming, precision genome engineering, stem cell characterization, quality control, and cell line banking services.
Our team can assist with experimental design, project planning, service selection, feasibility discussions, and coordination with HSCGEC to help identify the most appropriate workflow for each project.
Why Use iPSC Models?
Human iPSC models provide a powerful complement to traditional animal and cell-based systems by allowing researchers to study genetically defined human cells in a controlled experimental setting.
Potential applications include:
- Human disease modeling
- Functional genomics
- Evaluation of disease-associated genetic variants
- Drug discovery and therapeutic development
- Gene and RNA-based therapeutic testing
- Generation of isogenic control and disease-model cell lines
- Studies of human development and cellular differentiation
- Translational research
Because iPSCs can be expanded and genetically engineered, they can provide renewable and highly customizable platforms for studying biological mechanisms and testing candidate interventions.
iPSC Reprogramming
Through the AMC-HSCGEC partnership, investigators have access to integration-free iPSC reprogramming from human cell sources including:
- Fibroblasts
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)
HSCGEC reports greater than 95% success for its iPSC reprogramming workflow and uses integration-free methodologies designed to generate high-quality pluripotent stem cell lines.
The AMC can assist investigators with project planning, sample requirements, service coordination, and development of downstream experimental strategies.
Precision Genome Engineering
Customized iPSC lines can be generated using CRISPR-based genome engineering to create disease models, isogenic controls, and other specialized cell systems.
Available applications include:
- Gene knockouts
- Targeted knock-ins
- Reporter and tagged cell lines
- Safe-harbor locus engineering
- Inducible CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) systems
- Inducible CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) systems
- Other customized genetic modifications
Genome engineering strategies can be tailored to the biological question and may be integrated with iPSC reprogramming, characterization, and downstream experimental workflows.
Pluripotent Stem Cell Characterization and Quality Control
Comprehensive characterization and quality control are available to help confirm the identity, pluripotency, and genomic integrity of iPSC lines.
Available analyses include:
- OCT4 immunocytochemistry
- SSEA4 immunocytochemistry
- Mycoplasma screening
- Whole-genome stability assessment
- Copy-number variation analysis for engineered cell lines
These services can be applied to newly reprogrammed lines, genome-edited clones, or existing investigator-provided pluripotent stem cell lines.
Cell Line Banking
Long-term cell line banking services are available to support project continuity and reproducibility.
Services include:
- Scalable cell storage
- Organized cell line banking
- Reliable retrieval of archived lines
- Support for long-term and multi-phase projects
Cell banking can be integrated into reprogramming and genome-engineering workflows to ensure that validated cell lines are preserved for future studies.
Integrated Project Support
The AMC serves as the local point of contact for investigators interested in accessing HSCGEC services.
Our team can help with:
- Initial project consultation
- Experimental design
- Feasibility assessment
- Selection of appropriate iPSC services
- Coordination of sample submission and project workflow
- Integration of iPSC studies with AMC genome-engineering and animal-modeling capabilities
- Planning of downstream validation and experimental applications
Projects can range from straightforward iPSC reprogramming to complex workflows involving genome editing, characterization, and long-term cell line banking.
A Complement to Animal Models
iPSC-based models and genetically engineered animal models provide complementary approaches for studying human disease.
Human iPSCs can enable mechanistic studies in genetically defined human cells, while animal models provide the physiological and systems-level context needed to understand disease progression, organ interactions, behavior, pharmacology, and therapeutic response in vivo.
By combining access to advanced iPSC engineering with established mouse and rat model-generation capabilities, the AMC can help investigators develop integrated experimental strategies that take advantage of both human cellular and in vivo model systems.
Start an iPSC Project
Investigators considering an iPSC-based project are encouraged to contact the AMC early in the planning process.
Our team can provide a short consultation to discuss experimental goals, feasibility, available services, and the most appropriate workflow. The AMC will coordinate with HSCGEC to help ensure that reprogramming, genome engineering, characterization, and cell banking needs are matched with the appropriate resources.