Takara Bio releases Mouse Feeder Cell Quantification Kit for quality control of human stem cells

Otsu/Shiga, Japan – January 9, 2014 – Takara Bio Inc. announced the launch of the Mouse Feeder Cell Quantification Kit for human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This product will become available for sale in Japan on January 20, 2014 and outside Japan on March 19, 2014 through Takara Bio’s distribution network.

 

By specifically quantifying the mitochondrial DNA from murine cells and the genomic DNA derived from human cells independently using quantitative Real Time PCR technology, this product provides scientists with a rapid and high-sensitivity method for detection of residual mouse DNA which remains in cultures of human cells.

 

Mouse feeder cells are commonly used to provide good media conditions for efficiently culturing human ESCs and human iPSCs. For future clinical applications of regenerative medicine, it will be necessary to eliminate the mouse-derived cells as much as possible in order to ensure the safety of stem cells to be used for the clinical treatment. However, until now there was no product available in the bio-tech research reagent market that could quantify residual mouse cells in the culture. Takara Bio’s new product, the Mouse Feeder Cell Quantification Kit, is an innovative breakthrough and promises to assist and accelerate regenerative medicine research.

 

Takara Bio will continue to develop and distribute new products and services relating to the stem cell research such as iPSCs and ESCs for research institutes and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

[ Product Outline ]

 

[ About Takara Bio Inc. ]

Takara Bio Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company based in Shiga, Japan. As a world leader in biotechnology research and development, Takara Bio was the first company to market PCR technology in Japan and is also the developer of the RetroNectin® reagent, which is a world-standard in gene therapy protocols. In addition to providing research reagents and equipment to the life science research market, Takara Bio has active research and product development activities in the fields of gene and cell-based therapy, and agricultural biotechnology including functional food and mushroom production businesses; and is committed preventing disease and improving the quality of life for all people through the use of biotechnology. Through strategic alliances with other industry leaders, the Company aims to extend its reach around the world. More information is available at http://www.takara-bio.com.