In this webinar, Andrew Gaffney, Director of Stem Cell Manufacturing and Commercialization at STEMCELL Technologies, showcases how high-quality, genetically diverse iPSC lines and differentiated cells are advancing research in neurological and retinal diseases. Manufactured to meet ISSCR standards, these iPSC lines undergo extensive quality control, ensuring consistency and reliability for disease modeling and drug discovery. Andrew outlines how these healthy control lines demonstrate strong pluripotency and genetic stability and are compatible with a range of STEMdiff™ differentiation kits.

Through validated workflows, STEMCELL has optimized the differentiation of these iPSCs into mature, functional astrocytes and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that exhibit hallmark physiological behaviors. Astrocytes generated from SCTi003-A iPSCs show glutamate uptake, inflammatory responsiveness, and compatibility in co- and tri-culture systems, making them ideal for neurological modeling applications. Resulting RPE cells demonstrate robust maturation, tight barrier formation, and polarized secretion. Andrew also introduces an ABCA4 knockout RPE model that replicates Stargardt disease pathology, including impaired photoreceptor outer segment digestion and lipid accumulation.

As a supporter of, and participant in, ISSCR’s 2025 Annual Meeting, we share with you our presentation at ISSCR 2025. This presentation does not represent an endorsement from or support of the ISSCR.