Cyagen Biosciences is a global provider of biological research tools and services. The company focuses on creating highly specialized, customized biological models that allow researchers to investigate complex biological processes with precision. These models are fundamental to understanding gene function, exploring human disease mechanisms, and developing new therapeutic interventions. Cyagen integrates advanced technology with comprehensive service offerings to transform research ideas into practical outcomes for global partners. Their core offering is a suite of genetically modified models and cellular tools tailored for preclinical and translational studies.
Custom Rodent Model Generation
The foundation of modern biomedical research relies on genetically engineered animal models, which Cyagen specializes in creating. Custom models are required to accurately replicate genetic changes observed in human patients, providing a controlled system to study disease progression and test potential treatments. This involves altering the mouse or rat genome by removing, inserting, or modifying a gene.
One common model type is the Knockout model, where a specific gene is inactivated across the entire organism to investigate the consequences of its absence. In contrast, Knockin models introduce a specific genetic sequence, such as a human gene or a precise point mutation, at a defined location within the animal’s genome. This allows for the study of how a single alteration, like one found in a human disease, affects the organism’s biology.
The most advanced models are conditional models, which use the Cre-lox system to control when and where a gene is modified. In a conditional knockout mouse, the target gene is flanked by specific DNA sequences called loxP sites. These mice are bred with a line that expresses the Cre enzyme only in a particular cell type or tissue, such as liver cells or neurons. This precise spatial and temporal control is important for genes whose complete removal would cause embryonic lethality. Conditional models allow the gene to remain functional until the researcher inactivates it in a specific tissue later in life, providing a window into adult-onset diseases.
Precision Gene Editing Platforms
The creation of specific animal models is driven by Cyagen’s advanced genome editing technologies. The CRISPR/Cas9 system functions like molecular scissors guided by a small RNA molecule to make precise cuts in the DNA. This tool enables researchers to rapidly generate simple Knockout models by disrupting a gene’s coding sequence, often leading to a non-functional protein.
For complex genetic modifications, such as large Knockin insertions or conditional models, Cyagen utilizes proprietary platforms that enhance efficiency. One platform is TurboKnockout®, an embryonic stem cell (ES cell)-based technology that reduces the time required for model generation. By using a super-competent ES cell line and a self-deleting selection cassette, TurboKnockout® eliminates two generations of breeding steps, shortening the turnaround time to six to eight months.
Another platform, Targeted Gene Editing, optimizes the repair mechanism that follows a DNA cut. It uses AI-optimized guide molecules to introduce precise double-strand breaks in the genome, employing a proprietary fertilization technique to enhance the efficiency of Homology-Directed Repair (HDR). HDR is the cell’s natural process for accurately inserting or replacing large segments of DNA. This makes the platform ideal for creating complex models like large-fragment Knockins, which can involve inserting sequences up to 15 kilobases in length. These advanced platforms ensure researchers receive genetically confirmed models with high precision.
Supporting Research with Cell Lines and Reagents
While whole animal models provide an in vivo view of disease, Cyagen also supplies tools for in vitro studies through custom cell lines and molecular reagents. These cellular models are necessary for studying biological processes at the molecular level and for high-throughput drug screening. The company generates various genetically engineered cell lines, including Knockout and Knockin versions, which mirror the genetic alterations introduced into their rodent models.
A significant offering is induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), which are adult cells—often skin or blood cells—genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state. These iPSCs can differentiate into virtually any cell type in the body, such as neurons, heart cells, or liver cells. Researchers use patient-derived iPSCs to create a dish of a patient’s own diseased cells, allowing them to study the specific mechanisms of their condition.
Cyagen supports cellular research by providing specialized molecular tools and reagents, including the packaging of viral vectors like adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus. These vectors act as delivery vehicles, used to introduce genetic material into cells or living animals for gene therapy research or functional studies. This suite of resources ensures that researchers have validated, high-quality components for every stage of their experiments.
Accelerating Drug Development and Disease Study
Cyagen’s custom models and cell lines accelerate the drug discovery pipeline and deepen the understanding of human diseases. These genetically precise tools are the foundation of preclinical research, serving as the bridge between molecular discovery and a therapeutic product ready for human testing. The models are used for target validation, confirming that a specific gene or protein is a viable intervention point for a disease.
In oncology, researchers utilize diverse tumor models, including Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) models and humanized immune mice. PDX models involve implanting a patient’s tumor tissue into an immunocompromised mouse, allowing for personalized drug testing that reflects the human clinical setting. Humanized immune mice, engineered with a human immune system, are valuable for testing immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapies.
The models are deployed for efficacy testing, where new drug candidates are administered to determine their effectiveness and safety profile. This supports translational medicine, allowing researchers to move from laboratory findings to an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with robust supporting data. Creating specific models for complex areas like neuroscience, metabolism, and rare diseases means drug developers can focus resources on candidates with a high probability of success in a biologically relevant system.