Jiksak Bioengineering’s R&D focuses on peripheral axons and the synapses formed with target cells.
Our Engineered Synapse Technology consists of protein-conjugated beads, approximately 10 μm in diameter. When the beads are co-cultured with human iPS cell-derived motor neurons, the axons recognize the beads as post-synaptic tissue and synapses form between the axon termini and beads.
Functional presynapses can be easily and rapidly formed on axons, and can be applied to a variety of evaluations.
Our Engineered Synapse Technology consists of protein-conjugated beads, approximately 10 μm in diameter. When the beads are co-cultured with human iPS cell-derived motor neurons, the axons recognize the beads as post-synaptic tissue and synapses form between the axon termini and beads. These co-cultures can be used to screen for compounds that increase synapse formation and strengthen the neuromuscular junction.
Active beads induce synapse formation: a) synapse staining, conjugation of protein X to microbeads; f) synapse staining, no conjugation of protein-X to microbeads b) and g) staining of microbeads; c) and h) staining of neuronal marker; d) and i) presence of artificial synapses are identified by presence of co-staining (white); e) and j) electron microscopy images of microbeads with and without synapse induction, respectively.
Our engineered human synapse technology can uncover the mechanisms that cause neuromuscular junction alterations and discover new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and myasthenia gravis.
Our engineered human synapse technology can uncover the mechanisms that cause neuromuscular junction alterations and discover new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and myasthenia gravis.
Using our engineered synaptogenic beads, we conducted high throughput screening of FDA-approved compounds and successfully identified targets that promote synapse formation.
A platform capable of evaluating drugs that stabilizes synapses is an important component to drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. At Jiksak Bioengineering, we provide screening platforms for drug discovery and we also have our own in-house drug discovery projects.