Precision of bit.bio’s cells is ‘a watershed moment for biology’

The precision and consistency of bit.bio’s induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived cell products is now so good that it represents “a watershed moment for biology”, says Marcus Werning, a professor at Stanford University and a bit.bio SAB member.

The milestone achieved by the synthetic biology company based at the Dorothy Hodgkin Building on Babraham Research Campus is an unparalleled level of consistency with regards to multiple human cell products for research use.

Presenting data to the recent International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) conference, bit.bio’s date came from samples of cells sequenced from independent opti-ox reprogrammed manufacturing lots for multiple cell types. Analysis of the samples show fewer than one per cent differentially expressed genes in bulk-mRNA sequencing experiments between manufacturing lots. This achievement sets a new standard for the manufacture of human cells.

“Out of 20,000 genes,” said Prof Wernig, “not a single one is differentially expressed across three independently produced batches of bit.bio’s glutamatergic neurons. This seems like a watershed moment for biology. The team at bit.bio has achieved a level of consistency that is outside of the realm of what was thought possible. It is another proof point that transcription-factor based programming of cells can solve the challenges that have restricted the use of stem cell-derived cells in drug development and cell therapy.”

The ability to produce cells at an industrial scale means scientists can now conduct experiments on a significantly larger scale in human models, leading to faster discoveries and a deeper understanding of cellular mechanisms.

bit.bio founder and CEO, Dr Mark Kotter, said: “The beauty of the data and how consistently bit.bio can produce human cells using our forward programming technology is mind-boggling.”