The International Stem Cell Banking Initiative, coordinated by the UK Stem Cell Bank at NIBSC, is a consortium of stem cell banks, leading stem cell biologists, regulators and other expert bodies from 24 countries. This group recently published an international consensus: ‘Points to Consider in the Development of Seed Stocks of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Clinical Application’. This describes the key issues in establishing pluripotent stem cells as starting materials for regenerative medicines. It considers all aspects for developing hPSC lines including donor selection, tissue procurement, cell banking, preservation, testing, storage and shipment. This was presented at the International Society for Stem Cell Research in Stockholm, June 2015 and is currently being translated into Japanese, Korean and Chinese.
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