Unique and Comprehensive Collection of Stem Cell Lines Available to Researchers Around the Globe

NYSCF and the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation (BBDF) partnered to create a unique and comprehensive collection of juvenile Batten (CLN3) disease induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. This collection is a resource with game-changing potential for all types of Batten disease, as well as other diseases that display alterations in the CLN3 gene, including frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, inherited blindness and certain cancers.

The collection, currently comprising stem cell lines from 24 individual patients and family members, is available for academic researchers focused on the root cause of neurodegeneration in Batten and related illnesses as well as industry experts for screening libraries of promising compounds to treat disease. This resource will become even more valuable to researchers once ongoing expansion is completed, and will eventually include additional patient lines, isogenic controls, and parental carriers.

“This partnership resulted in the largest ever collection of stem cell models of juvenile Batten disease, giving researchers around the world an unprecedented opportunity to study how the disease develops, speeding research towards a cure,” said Susan L. Solomon, NYSCF Chief Executive Officer.

Juvenile Batten disease is a devastating, progressive neurological disorder affecting children. Initial symptoms typically begin with progressive vision loss, followed by personality changes, behavioral problems, and slowed learning. These symptoms are followed by seizures and loss of motor functions, eventually resulting in wheelchair use and premature death. Psychiatric symptoms can develop at any point during the disease.

This new research resource, developed using the NYSCF Global Stem Cell Array automated robotic technology, will accelerate research around the globe and enable scientists to study Batten disease in the actual cells affected.

For a list of stem cell lines available and information on acquiring the cell lines, visit the NYSCF Repository website.

Read the full press release.