Cardio-Regen
Core Lab
Welcome to the U-M Cardiovascular Regeneration Core Laboratory
We routinely generate patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for basic science research purposes.
Our focus is on cardiovascular cell differentiation of hiPSCs to generate unlimited supplies of patient specific cardiovascular cells for in vitro research. These cells enable patient specific disease modeling in a dish as well as patient specific medication screening for potential cardiotoxicity side effects. These cells and our unique phenotyping platforms can also benefit Drug Discovery projects by providing early stage detection of a compound's effects on human cardiac function in vitro. Recently we have successfully generated human stem cell derived pancreatic cells in collaboration with the Caswell Diabetes Institute.
Working with hiPSCs requires expertise in Pluripotent Stem Cell Maintenance as well as specialized equipment. We provide the expertise and resources needed for successful use of these precious-patient specific cells.
Core Lab SERVICES:
We operate on a fee-for-service basis to serve the University of Michigan and external research communities in their needs to derive patient specific iPSCs and differentiated cardiovascular cell types. Our primary concern is your success using iPSCs and differentiated cell types. Basic services include:
hiPSC derivation, hiPSC characterization, hiPSC expanstion
hiPSC differentiation to: Cardiomyocytes, Endothelial Cells, Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Pancreatic Cells
3D organoids: Cardiac, Pancreatic
Cardiotoxicity Screening-Drug Discovery Projects
Arrhythmia Testing
High Content Time Lapse Imaging
Contact Us
Email us today at cvcregenerationcore@gmail.com to get started on your patient-specific research projects or visit our Contact Us page for more information.
Bioengineered Human Cardiac Monolayer
The Core Laboratory provides cell production as well as phenotype analysis. In collaboration with the Center for Arrhythmia Research we can provide high throughput cardiac electrophysiological analysis. Here human iPSC derived cardiomyocytes were plated in the shape of the UM "M" and the electrophysiological surrogate of the "heart beat" is recorded travelling through the Michigan block "M".
Maintenance of hiPSCs
We use cutting edge technology to continuously monitor the growth and quality of hiPSCs and differentiated cells. This time lapse image shows continuous monitoring of hiPSC growth in feeder free conditions.
3D Human iPSC Derived Cardiac Tissue
The Core Laboratory works with faculty from the UM School of Engineering to generate materials for generation of 3D Human iPSC derived cardiac tissues. Each tissue has its own pacemaker and force of contraction can be quantified in a high content manner.
Lab-Generated Cardiomyocytes
The Core Laboratory routinely generates patient specific stem cell derived cardiovascular cells for research. These are high resolution confocal images of human stem cell derived cardiac muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) generated in the Core Lab. Each cardiomyocyte has a nucleus (blue) and contractile proteins (red). The top image shows intercellular communication proteins expressed between the cells (green, connexin43). Remarkably these cells can be utilized to generate 3D cardiac tissue that has its own pacemaker and generates significant force to perform external work.
Lab-Generated Vascular Cells
The Core Laboratory also generates human vascular cells. This image shows hiPSC derived vascular smooth muscle cells apparent by staining for alpha smooth muscle actin (green). Contact us today to get your project moving forward.
Lab-Generated Pancreatic Cells
The Core Laboratory generates human pancreatic cells for research. This image shows hiPSC derived pancreatic organoids (left) and insulin producing cells (right, C-peptide+, red). This is done in collaboration with Drs. Martin Myers and Dr. Scott Soleimanpour of the UM Caswell Diabetes Institute.