West Michigan Neurodegenerative Diseases (MiND) Program

Van Andel Institute’s West Michigan Neurodegenerative Diseases (MiND) Program is a collaborative effort to identify genetic and epigenetic changes that may play roles in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and dementias. Our goal? To move the needle in our understanding of these diseases, power new discoveries and leverage our findings to inform groundbreaking treatment strategies.

The program is led by Darren Moore, Ph.D., chair of VAI’s Department of Neurodegenerative Science.

Questions?

Please contact MiND Program Manager Erin Williams, Ph.D., at [email protected].

VAI Brain Bank

The VAI Brain Bank houses donated brains from people with and without neurodegenerative diseases. Located within VAI’s accredited Biorepository, the Brain Bank drives insight and discovery by providing scientists the samples needed to investigate the underpinnings of Parkinson’s, dementias and other neurodegenerative diseases.

What is a biobank?

A biobank is a collection of biological samples organized in a systematic way. These samples are vital for understanding health and disease because they allow scientists an important window into physical changes caused by disease.

Where do samples come from?

The brains in the VAI Brain Bank come from individuals who have generously chosen to donate their brains after their passing to support scientific discoveries. To this end, we have partnered with LifeNet Health, an organ procurement organization and a leader in regenerative medicine and life sciences.

Informed consent is obtained through LifeNet Health. Donors remain anonymous.

Questions?

Please contact MiND Program Manager Erin Williams, Ph.D., at [email protected].

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell and High-Content Screening Platform

Stem cells are biological “blank slates” that give rise to all the specialized cell types needed to assemble and power the human body, from skin cells to heart cells and everything in between. One of their many important jobs is to maintain the body throughout life by replacing dead cells and rejuvenating damaged tissues.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are cells derived from blood or skin cells that are “reprogrammed” in the lab to return to their earlier, undifferentiated state. From there, they can be coaxed to become other types of cells, making them powerful tools for scientists. For example, using iPSCs, scientists can generate living brain cells in the lab — allowing them to see first-hand the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration.

As a part of this platform, we built and furnished a state-of-the-art iPSC cell culture laboratory for VAI investigators working to answer a neurodegeneration-related question with iPSC technology. We also provide access to nearly 100 curated and validated iPSC lines for neurodegeneration research. Additionally, we have a robotic and fully automated high-content imaging system to perform high-throughput screening on living brain cells (iPSC-derived through reprogramming) to understand the mechanisms behind neurodegeneration at the molecular level.

Equipment

• ImageXpress Confocal HT.ai (Molecular Devices): Laser-based, high-resolution spinning disc confocal microscope set up for plate-based immunofluorescent cellular assays
• Biomek i7 Hybrid Liquid Handler (Beckman Coulter): 96-well and Span-8 pipette heads configured for automated pipetting with robotic arms for plate movement
• AquaMax4000 Microplate Washer (Molecular Devices): Self-contained system compatible with 96- and 384-well plates intended to automatically wash, soak and aspirate plates
• LiCONiC STX44 Automated CO2 Incubator (LiCONiC): 44-microplate incubator compatible with and accessible by plate-loading robot
• PreciseFlex PF400 Plate Loading Robot (Brooks Automation): Robotic arm capable of lidding and delidding plates and transferring plates to/from all components of the HCI system

For questions, please contact MiND Program Manager Erin Williams, Ph.D., at [email protected].