BrainXell attended the SLAS 2024 conference, a premier event for professionals in the field of laboratory science and technology. Among the attendees was Senior Applications Scientist Roxanne Alvarez, whose presentation on the use of TREM2-edited iPSC lines to generate iPSC-derived microglia garnered significant attention.
In her poster presentation, Alvarez highlighted the remarkable potential of edited iPSC lines in modeling disease phenotypes for neurodegenerative research. Specifically, she discussed how both knock-out and R47H mutated lines resulted in microglia exhibiting morphological and functional changes, offering valuable insights into the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Alvarez also emphasized the growing trend among researchers towards utilizing in vitro-based assays, particularly in light of regulatory advancements such as the FDA Modernization Act 2.0. With this regulatory framework in place, the use of well-validated iPSC-derived cells in high-throughput screening assays has become increasingly feasible, paving the way for more efficient drug discovery and development processes.
During the conference, Alvarez noted the remarkable dedication of numerous research groups to the drug development process, with many investing significant resources in advancing scientific knowledge and developing potential therapeutics. The collective efforts of these groups underscore the urgency and importance of finding effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, which continue to pose significant challenges to public health worldwide. Learn more about the conference here.