Differentiation catalysts for the production of dopaminergic neurons

Embryonic stem (ES) cells can replicate indefinitely in an undifferentiated state and develop into all cells and tissues in the body. These unique characters of ES cells imply their application as a source of clinically useful cells. Although a number of cell types have been differentiated from ES cells in test tubes, the currently available methods are often inefficient. In the proposed study, we attempt to discover small organic molecules that generate dopamine-producing neurons from ES cells. Our approach to discovering such molecules is rooted in the logic of chemistry. These 'differentiation catalysts' may become useful for the factory-scale and cost-efficient preparation of dopamine-producing neurons from stem cells.