StemCore provides scientists with a broad range of products, services and training to support stem cell research. These services can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of individual customers.
Cellular Products & Services
StemCore offers a range of human embryonic stem cell lines (hESCs) as well as human or mouse feeder cells. These cell types are available in multiple product formats including feeder free and serum free conditions. The products include:
- ready-to-experiment cultures of multiple hESC, customer iPS cell and human and mouse feeder cell lines supplied in multiple formats
- feeder and stem cells supplied in other formats (e.g. cryotubes, cryostraws or cell lysates)
- distribution of the MEL-series of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines in Australia and New Zealand
- expansion and banking of customer supplied cell lines
- differentiated stem cell products (e.g. neurospheres and embryoid bodies).
Customers should note that the supply of certain hESC and iPSC lines within Australia are often dependent upon the obtaining appropriate approvals for cell lines from the cell line owner. Differentiated cell products, such as in vitro differentiated neurospheres, are provided upon request, and supply of other differentiated cell types can be negotiated as dictated by customer requirements.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Line Development
The StemCore iPS Cell Facility offers a service for the custom development and characterisation of iPS cell lines from their preferred cellular material. This service comprise of two stages: (Stage 1) Generation of new iPS cell lines and (Stage 2) iPS cell line characterisation.
Benefits of the StemCore iPS Cell Service include:
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iPS cell lines are developed using your preferred cell type(s) with no previous iPS cell experience necessary
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Training can be included as part of the service facilitates future iPS cell development
- Customised list of characterisation options provides you with the level of confidence that you require.
Stage One: iPS Cell Line Generation
The development of new iPS cell lines (Stage One) is performed by staff at the StemCore iPS Cell Facility under the direction of Assoc. Prof. Ernst Wolvetang. Techniques available for the Stage One generation of iPS cell lines include lentiviral, protein and plasmid methods. StemCore iPS Cell Facility staff will recommend a particular method in consultation with the client.
Components provided during stage one include:
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Expansion of the cells of origin (supplied by the customer or obtained by the iPS Cell Services, as agreed)
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Preparation of reprogramming lentiviruses, plasmids or proteins
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Design and validation of the screening strategy
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Transduction/transfection/treatment of cells of origin
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Selection of putative reprogrammed colonies and their initial expansion
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Screening of selected colonies for critical pluripotency markers Oct-4, Tra-1-60 and Nanog to identify reprogrammed iPS clones
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Validation of transgene silencing or absence of episomal DNA in selected clones (depending upon reprogramming method used)
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Cell line identity confirmation by DNA profiling (STR analysis)
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Freezing of excess iPS clones
Stage Two: iPS Cell Line Characterisation
Undertaken by StemCore Queensland under the direction of Ms Victoria Turner (Manger), stage two is recommended to characterise the reprogrammed nature of the iPS cells and validate that they are true iPS cells. To cater for the unique requirements of customers, StemCore provides a range of characterisation options. These include:
1. Complete Characterisation Package of assays that includes:
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Karyotyping
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PCR Analysis
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FACS Profiling
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Generation of Master Bank
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Mycoplasma Testing
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Teratoma Assay
2. Range of Individual Characterisation Assays
A selection of individual characterisation assays that can be selected by the customer. These assays include those listed above plus immunocytochemical analysis, qPCR analysis (RT-PCR), additional DNA profiling and vitrification of additional clone master banks.
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Characterisation Services
Many scientists working with stem cells believe that as long as cultured consistently, cells will remain the same – after all, renewing ability is one key stem cell characteristic. But in reality stem cell lines change over time, undergoing subtle genetic and epigenetic changes impacting on their characteristics.
StemCore offers a range of characterisation assays of customer’s cells, allowing customers to monitor their cell lines over time or after particular experiments. The assays include:
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karyotyping
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DNA profiling
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immunophenotyping
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FACS profiling
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teratoma assay
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in vitro differentiation assay
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qPCR and PCR analysis of pluripotency/ differentiation markers
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mycoplasma testing
Scientists interested in this service should firstly contact StemCore management to discuss the scope and details of the characterisation required. A quotation will then be provided, and if accepted, the customer provides fresh or frozen cells to StemCore for cell expansion and the completion of specified assays. The results of the assay (s) are combined into a report which is sent to the customer together with any additional material (image discs, histology slides etc.).
Contract Services
Leveraging our capabilities in pluripotent stem cell culture and analysis, StemCore can offer contract research services, whereby discrete projects are undertaken by StemCore on behalf of the client. These can range from testing a new reagent to long term culture of stem cells in cases where extended-passage information is required. These services, which are the subject of a service agreement, are coordinated by an appointed StemCore staff member under the guidance and instructions from the customer.
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