Protocol for generating megakaryocytes from patient induced pluripotent stem cells for disease modeling and compound screening

  • STAR Protoc. 2026 Mar 20;7(1):104393. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104393.
Payal Chawla  1 ,  Niclas Flosdorf  2 ,  Marcelo A S de Toledo  1 ,  Martin Zenke  3
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Medicine IV, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), 52074 Aachen, Germany.
  • 2. Institute for Cell and Tumor Biology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
  • 3. Department of Medicine IV, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), 52074 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 41762654 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104393
Abstract

Here, we present a protocol for generating megakaryocytes from patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We describe steps for expanding and dissociating iPSCs into single cells and aggregating them into spin embryoid bodies (EBs). We detail procedures for lineage commitment and differentiation toward megakaryocytes within 14 days. This protocol supports phenotypic characterization and compound testing across multiple patient-derived iPSC lines. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Flosdorf et al.1.

Keywords
Cell Biology; Cell Differentiation; Cell culture; Cell-based Assays; Flow Cytometry; Stem Cells.
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