CPC G01N 33/507 (2013.01) [A61K 38/1709 (2013.01); C12N 5/0676 (2013.01); C12Q 1/6881 (2013.01); G01N 33/56966 (2013.01); G01N 33/6893 (2013.01); C12N 2501/00 (2013.01); C12N 2501/415 (2013.01); C12N 2501/727 (2013.01); C12Q 2600/158 (2013.01); G01N 2800/042 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
1. A method of identifying a compound suitable for differentiating immature progenitor β cells into mature β cells, the method comprising:
(a) contacting a cell population comprising immature progenitor β cells with a test compound; and
(b) subsequently determining the presence or expression level of the biomarker Flattop (Fltp) in the β cells comprised in the cell population;
wherein the presence of Fltp, or an increased expression level of Fltp, in the β cells comprised in the cell population after the contacting with the test compound is indicative of a compound suitable for differentiating immature progenitor β cells into mature β cells, and wherein
(i) an Fltp fusion protein comprising a detectable moiety is used for determining the presence, absence, or expression level of Fltp, and wherein the expression of Fltp leads to concomitant expression of the detectable moiety; or
(ii) a detectable Fltp reporter protein is used for determining the presence, absence, or expression level of Fltp, and wherein the expression of the detectable reporter protein is under the control of the Fltp promoter.
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