Stem Cell Technology, Haplobanking, Cell Manufacturing, and Direct Neural Reprogramming

Vocabulary flashcards covering stem cell biology, HLA haplobanking, biomanufacturing processes, quality control assays, and direct lineage reprogramming protocols based on the lecture material.

Allogeneic

Involving cells, tissues, or organs taken from a genetically different individual of the same species.

Autologous

Involving cells, tissues, or organs derived from the same individual's body.

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)

A group of genes located on chromosome 6 that encodes surface proteins critical for the immune system to recognize self versus non-self.

Haplotype

A specific group of alleles or gene variants that tend to be inherited together from a single parent.

Transfection

The process of introducing nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells using non-viral chemical or physical methods.

Transduction

The process of introducing nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells via viral infection.

Episomal Plasmids

Circular, non-integrating DNA vectors delivered via transfection that express reprogramming factors without integrating into the host genome.

Sendai Virus Vector

A non-pathogenic, single-stranded RNA virus vector with high transduction efficiency that replicates in the cytoplasm without a DNA intermediate, avoiding host genomic integration.

Hayflick Limit

The natural limit of normal human somatic cells to undergo approximately 40 to 60 cell divisions before entering permanent senescence or apoptosis due to telomere shortening.

Immunocytochemistry (ICC)

A laboratory technique used to visualize specific target proteins or antigens within individual cultured cells using antibody binding.

Embryoid Body (EB)

A 3D multicellular aggregate formed when pluripotent stem cells are cultured in suspension, capable of spontaneous differentiation into tissues representing all three germ layers.

Teratoma Assay

An in vivo functional test of pluripotency where stem cells are injected into immunodeficient mice to generate a benign tumor containing differentiated tissues from all three germ layers.

Chimera Assay

An in vivo functional test of pluripotency in which donor pluripotent stem cells are injected into a pre-implantation blastocyst to evaluate their ability to contribute to all body tissues, including the germline.

7-AAD (7-amino-actinomycin D)

A fluorescent cell-exclusion dye used in flow cytometry and microscopy that binds double-stranded DNA in dead or dying cells with compromised cell membranes.

Endotoxin

A toxic lipopolysaccharide compound found within the outer cell membrane of Gram-negative bacteria that can cause severe immune reactions.

Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells capable of differentiating into any somatic cell type derived from the three germ layers of the body.

Multipotent Stem Cells

Stem cells restricted to differentiating into specific cell types within a single lineage, such as mesenchymal stem cells forming bone, cartilage, and muscle.

Leigh Syndrome

A genetic mitochondrial disorder that impairs ATP production and affects the central nervous and respiratory systems, leading to high early mortality.

Asymmetric Cell Division

A specialized cell division process that produces two distinct daughter cells: one that retains self-renewing stem cell identity and one destined for differentiation.

Impact Factor

A metric calculated by dividing the total citations received in a given year by articles published in a journal during the preceding two years.

Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS)

A specialized form of flow cytometry that separates a heterogeneous cell suspension into distinct populations based on specific light scattering and fluorescent properties.

Process Analytical Technology (PAT)

A system for designing, analyzing, and controlling biomanufacturing processes through real-time monitoring of critical quality attributes (CQAs).

Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistors (ISFETs)

Miniaturized, label-free sensors used in bioreactors to detect real-time changes in specific ion concentrations, such as $pH$, $K^+$, $Na^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $NH_4^+$.

Impedance Sensors

Non-invasive sensors that measure electrical resistance and capacitance across cells to infer live cell biomass, viability, and membrane integrity.

Chemo Optodes

Specialized optical sensors that utilize light signals for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of biochemical parameters like $pH$, dissolved oxygen, and $CO_2$ in bioreactors.

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

A regulatory framework of quality standards that ensures medicinal products and cell therapies are consistently produced, tested, and controlled.

Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

A software infrastructure that monitors, tracks, and controls production workflows from raw materials to finished cell products in real-time.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

A fatal neurodegenerative disease in cattle caused by infectious prions (mad cow disease) that introduces safety risks when using animal serum in cell culture.

Direct Reprogramming (iN Technology)

The direct lineage conversion of somatic cells into specific neural cells or neural progenitor lineages without passing through an intermediate pluripotent iPSC state.

Epigenetic Modifications

Heritable changes in gene expression and chromatin structure that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence.

Euchromatin

An uncoiled, loosely packed form of chromatin resulting from histone acetylation that allows transcription factors access to initiate active gene expression.

Heterochromatin

A highly condensed, tightly coiled form of chromatin that restricts gene transcription and silences local gene expression.

RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique in which RNA is converted into complementary DNA (cDNA) by reverse transcriptase and subsequently amplified using specific PCR primers.

Tet-On System

An inducible gene expression system where target gene transcription is activated upon the binding of doxycycline to a reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator (rtTA).

BrdU Assay

An assay measuring cell proliferation based on the incorporation of synthetic thymidine analog bromodeoxyuridine into newly synthesized DNA during the S phase.

TUNEL Assay

An assay measuring apoptosis by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) to label the exposed $3'\text{-OH}$ ends of fragmented DNA with fluorescent nucleotides.

Gamma H2AX ($\gamma\text{H2AX}$)

A phosphorylated variant of histone H2AX that acts as a specific molecular marker for double-strand DNA breaks.