Use of Human Stem Cell Models of Neurological Disease to Advance Drug Discovery

Explore how human stem cell models revolutionize drug discovery for neurological diseases in this 32-minute webinar presented by Clare Jones, PhD, CSO at Talisman Therapeutics. Learn about the implementation of iPSC-derived neurons and glial cells as robust, translationally relevant model systems for identifying drug targets, optimizing compounds, and conducting mechanistic studies in neurodegeneration research. Discover how patient-derived iPSCs harboring autosomal dominant mutations enable researchers to study cellular dysfunction underlying disease pathogenesis, particularly in monogenic Alzheimer's disease where altered β-amyloid ratios and endolysosomal dysfunction can be examined. Understand the growing recognition of glial cells as important players in neurological disease, with genetic associations between immune genes and Alzheimer's disease risk highlighting neuroinflammation's role in pathogenesis. Examine the development of fully human iPSC-derived cortical neuron-microglia coculture systems that enable mechanistic studies of neuroinflammation, suitable for target identification, validation, and compound profiling. See how microglia display both homeostatic and damage response behaviors in coculture, demonstrate phagocytic activity, and release cytokines in response to proinflammatory stimulation. Gain insights into how multi-cell type human iPSC-derived models capture relevant neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory outcomes, generating translationally relevant data to advance drug discovery efforts. PACE credits are available for registered Labroots members through March 2026.