Invitation to collaborate: Mast cell platform for allergy research and drug screening
About the platform
To address this limitation, we have optimised a robust method for generating primary mast cells from human progenitor cells. In collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant, we’ve established an efficient pipeline that allows us to produce these cells in large quantities. Our progenitor-derived mast cells form an almost pure population that remains stable in culture for over a year—offering both biological relevance and consistency for day-to-day experimental use.
Applications
Using these cells, we have developed the Mast Cell Activation Test (MAT). By sensitizing mast cells with patient serum, we can perform personalized, functional testing for individual allergic responses. This approach has demonstrated high clinical relevance in peanut and cat allergy models.
In addition, by applying a generic allergic sensitization protocol (recombinant IgE + anti-IgE stimulation), we can scale MAT for high-throughput screening. Using this method, we screened a library of 2,320 FDA-approved drugs and identified 275 compounds with mast cell stabilizing properties (>30% inhibition at 10 μM), including ~100 previously reported stabilizers. One novel compound, showing a unique inhibitory profile and published human safety data, has already been submitted for patent protection.
Why this may be of interest
This platform opens exciting possibilities in:
- Functional allergy testing using serum from specific patient groups—for both diagnostic purposes and functional assessment of allergy immunotherapy
- Screening compound libraries for mast cell-stabilizing activity
- Evaluating therapeutic candidates in a clinically relevant, cell-based system (either biologics or small molecules)
We are now seeking industrial partners with interests in allergy, mast cell biology, or drug development. Collaboration opportunities include testing compounds or libraries using our MAT assay, co-developing new therapeutic strategies, or exploring other ideas partners may wish to propose—we are open and easy to work with.
For more information, please contact Rachel Burgess, Business Engagement Officer: rachel.burgess-2@manchester.ac.uk
