UK Stem Cell Bank research
The UK Stem Cell Bank research programme is focused on the standardisation and improvement of methods for culture, characterisation and preservation of human pluripotent stem cell lines (hPSCs) and derivatives.
The UK Stem Cell Bank is involved in several research collaborations in this area and welcome enquiries from academic groups or commercial organisations working on projects relating to hPSCs. If you are interested in collaborating with us, please contact us at enquiries@ukstemcellbank.org.uk.
Under the Code of Practice for the use of Human Stem Cell Lines (2010) and in line with MHRA policy, we do not conduct discovery research on stem cell lines deposited in the UK Stem Cell Bank in order to avoid conflicts of interest.
Our projects
NIHR funded activites (June 2021-June 2024)
MRC and BBSRC has funded UKSCB funded activities since 2002 and subsequent support for NIHR until 2024 has meant we have been successful in banking over 180 hESC lines, 30 of these banked under clinical grade conditions defined by HTA2007 which mena we are currently the worlds largest repository of clinical grade material. Recently we have been able to release a number of these hESC lines for distribution and clinical application and we are committed to the continued release of many more lines from our clincal grade inventory for therapeutic use.
Stem -cell standards and reference reagents
The UKSCB, in collaboration with the MHRA Cell Therapy group, are developing a range of reference materials to facilitate standardisation of stem cell therapies. From international guidance criteria, we want to provide physical standards for flow cytometry based identity assessment of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and the detection of residual undifferentiated PSCs in therapeutic products, towards improved quality and safety of across the stem cell landscape.
Stem cell automation and scaled-up manufacturing
In collaboration with our internal partners, we are continuing efforts to explore automation as a means of scaling up and reducing cost of manufacturing whilst also reducing reliance on a highly manual process and potential for human error. We have successfully trialed the CellQualia™ (Sinfonia) and will continue to explore other platforms as they become available.
Organoids and improved cellualr outputs
We are also exploring organoids as a way of providing improved cell therapeutic outputs with a molecular profile and function that better matches the mauture adult profile, and we have collaborations with Lyn Healy (Francis Crick Institute) and the CorEUStem consortium on this.
Allogeneic editing for universal stem cell therapies
Here, we intend to explore the potential for edited stem cells to provide a universal option to patients, without the need to HLA match cellular therapies to prevent rejection. Specific editing strategies are now available that remove HLA signals that drive this rejection, such that a single stem cell line can be used to provide cell therapies to everyone. This is an internal collaboration with the MHRA Gene Therapy team.
Ongoing involvement in hPSCreg, workshops and International Societies
The UK Stem Cell Bank is an active partner in the human Pluripotent Stem Cell registry (link needed), a freely accesibe global registry that helps to co-ordinate stem cell research and application, funded by the European Commission. We also conduct workshops on an ad hoc basis with our international partner the Harvard Stem cell Institute, and frequently attend and support the ISCCR, ISCT, ISCBI and others, as invited speakers or exhibitors.
Our publications
Latest publications
O’Shea O, Abranches E. UK Stem Cell Bank. Stem Cell Res. 2020 Dec;49:102019. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2020.102019.
Abranches E, Spyrou S, Ludwig T. GMP Banking of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A US and UK perspective. Stem Cell Res. 2020 May;45:101805. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2020.101805.
O’Shea O, Steeg R, Chapman C, Mackintosh P, Stacey GN. Development and implementation of large-scale quality control for the European bank for induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Res. 2020 May;45:101773. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2020.101773.
For a full list of UK Stem Cell Bank publications see UK Stem Cell Bank research publications [PDF, 84KB].