Bio-Techne looks forward to welcoming you to this exciting virtual event where we will discuss the following topics:

Talk 1 : Optimizing ex vivo Stem Cell models for studying development, disease and drug discovery

Tissues and cells derived from adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are widely used in preclinical and clinical research as ex vivo models for developmental biology, disease mechanisms and for performing drug discovery. Bio-Techne has supported basic research in stem cells over the past decades helping scientists to make progress in these areas. More recently many stem cell models such as MSCs and iPSC-derived cells are on the precipice of use as autologous and allogeneic therapeutic strategies for degenerative disease, tissue regeneration, and correction of hematologic genetic diseases, such as beta-thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia. Encouraging preclinical and early clinical trial data across multiple indications has hastened the need for improvements in GMP manufacturing of iPSCs, from optimizing the efficiency of iPSC reprogramming and gene editing to minimizing the safety profile of the therapeutic by incorporating animal-free raw materials into a closed system culture process. During this session we will introduce raw material and technology advancements from Bio-Techne that address current research endeavors in stem cells as well as challenges facing GMP iPSC manufacturing.

Talk 2: Cell and gene therapy workflow solutions for Immunotherapies

Advancing cell therapy research towards clinic requires quality reagents to meet the GMP standards. Bio-Techne supports the entire workflow providing solutions for Cell Separation, Cell culture, Genome Editing, Product Release Testing for Cell Manufacturing and Monitoring Efficacy and Toxicity. In this talk we will discuss some of the tools and genome engineering services that will enhance your cell therapy manufacturing process and that disrupt the status quo for manufacturing, validating, and monitoring cell therapies.

		Kevin Flynn Development Manager Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Bio-Techne
Kevin Flynn is the Research and Development Manager for Stem Cell and Gene Therapy at Bio-Techne. His team specializes in developing innovative cell culture tools for research and cell therapy manufacturing, with an emphasis on pluripotent stem cells and immune cells. Kevin received his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Colorado State University and joined Bio-Techne in 2016.

		Nithya Jesuraj Product Manager Genome Engineering Services Bio-Techne
Nithya Jesuraj is the Product Manager for Genome Engineering Services at Bio-Techne. Prior to joining the product management team, she was a key contributor in developing the Cloudz™ reagents for immune cell activation and expansion. Nithya completed her Ph.D. work at Washington University in St. Louis, where she designed cell therapies to support the regeneration of peripheral nerves across acellular grafts. Her work in this field inspired her to pursue work in developing reagents and solutions for cell based therapies.