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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Defined Xeno-free and Feeder-free Culture Conditions for the Generation of Human iPSC-derived Retinal Cell Models
Published on: September 6, 2018
Early retinal differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in microwell suspension cultures
Vishal S Sharma1, Rana Khalife1, Rui Tostoes1
1Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
Objective:
To develop a microwell suspension platform for the adaption of attached stem cell differentiation protocols into mixed suspension culture.
Results:
We adapted an adherent protocol for the retinal differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using a two-step protocol. Establishing the optimum embryoid body (EB) starting size and shaking speed resulted in the translation of the original adherent process into suspension culture. Embryoid bodies expanded in size as the culture progressed resulting in the expression of characteristic markers of early (Rx, Six and Otx2) and late (Crx, Nrl and Rhodopsin) retinal differentiation. The new process also eliminated the use of matrigel, an animal-derived extracellular matrix coating.
Conclusions:
Shaking microwells offer a fast and cost-effective method for proof-of-concept studies to establish whether pluripotent stem cell differentiation processes can be translated into mixed suspension culture.
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