Gene Expression Profiling

MDS offers comprehensive immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR services on hES and mES cells to ensure they are positive for all relevant stem cell markers and that they remain pluripotent.

Immunohistochemistry
Using markers for Alkaline Phosphatase, TRA 1-60, TRA 1-81, Oct-4, and GCTM-2 and utilizing immunohistochemistry and/or FACS analysis techniques provide useful information on expression of a gene that enables differentiation into specific stem cell lines. More... These services are also available for detection of:

• Gene expression profiling using markers for
  • Cancer Stem Cells
  • Embryonic Stem Cells
  • Endothelial Progenitors
  • Germline Stem Cells
  • Hematopoietic Progenitors
  • Endoderm Markers,
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells
  • Neural Stem Cells
  • Neural Stem Cell Markers
  • Signaling Pathways.
• Differentiation evaluation (by quantitative expression of Oct-3/4), Nanog and beta-actin mRNA in the undifferentiated state to evaluate polymorphism
• Stem cell marker expression pluripotency assays
• Lineage specificity
• Karyotypic stability
• SNP genotypes
• STR genotype

RT-PCR analysis
AT MDS we offer full service RT-PCR analysis on hES and mES cells to detect transcripts of pluripotency markers such as Cripto, GDF-3 and Oct-4 , and beta-actin (a gene control). For every reverse transcription (RT) sample, a 'no reverse transcription' and water controls will be included for all primer pairs to verify the absence of contamination in reagents. All hES lines (but not mES cells) must be positive for all the markers of pluripotency analyzed.