Key Points

• Toshiba Corporation and the CiRA Foundation have begun joint research to develop methods for establishing iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) using liposomes technology.


• Biodegradable Liposomes developed by Toshiba will be used for gene transfer to achieve production of safer and clinically applicable iPS cells.

Summary

Toshiba and the CiRA Foundation have signed a joint research agreement.

Research title: Gene transfer using liposomes
Date of concluding the contract: September 1, 2022
Research site: The Headquarters Laboratory of the CiRA Foundation and Kyoto Research Park

Background

Biodegradable liposomes and Toshiba

Liposomes are lipid nanocapsules. They are increasingly being used as medical materials that encapsulate and safely deliver therapeutic genes and agents to cells inside the body. To achieve more effective delivery of genes of interest to target cells, Toshiba has developed a technology to optimize liposomes for specific purposes by utilizing molecular design and the AI technology it has cultivated. Toshiba and the CiRA Foundation aim to develop methods for establishing clinically applicable iPS cells using Toshiba's unique biodegradable liposomes, thereby contributing to the advancement of regenerative medicine.

Details of the research

The following are the objectives of this joint research.

１．To verify whether iPS cells can be established by delivering liposome-encapsulated genes necessary for cell reprogramming into human somatic cells.

２．To improve the efficiency of establishing iPS cells by optimizing the type of liposomes, the genes to be encapsulated and their amounts, and transfer methods.

３．Investigate whether genetically modified iPS cells or differentiated cells from the genetically modified iPS cells can be prepared from iPS cells or somatic cells before reprograming, by performing gene transfer or gene editing using liposomes.

Inquiries

CiRA Foundation
Public Relations Group, Planning Promotion Office
E-mail：contact*cira-foundation.or.jp
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