Hibernation in mammals is a seasonal state of metabolic suppression and dormancy characterized by a decrease in body temperature to survive extreme environmental stresses. A new Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) line has been established from the neural precursor cells of wild type thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), a small mammalian hibernator with unique metabolic adaptations for coping with cold and restricted food supply. This ground squirrel iPSC line can be differentiated into many different cell types for hibernation studies, disease modeling, and drug screening for neuronal injuries or other diseases.
The National Eye Institute’s Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch seeks partners to co-develop the protocol for iPSC to RPE differentiation and its use in clinical, screening and translational settings.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) seeks research co-development or licensees for making research- or clinical-grade preservation solutions for cold-sensitive organ transplantation or protection of brain injury or trauma during surgery.