Bipolar Patient Stem Cells Expand Human-Based Research

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh converted skin cells donated by patients with bipolar disorder, a mood disorder, into stem cells and made them available to scientists worldwide through the European Bank for induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (EBiSC). These stem cells can be used to obtain brain cells, which can offer genetic and molecular insights into changes in the brains of patients with bipolar disorder. It also provides a platform to test new drug candidates using more human-relevant approaches. As part of the EBiSC, these human-induced stem cells will provide quality-controlled and standardized cells that are critical for advancing human induced stem cell research. This project, funded by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, is a clear example of the global movement to expand the use of nonanimal stem cells for biomedical research.