Project description
Europe’s ethical stem cell bank is exponentially expanding its utility and reach
Stem cell research holds tremendous promise yet has historically raised ethical issues about the moral aspects of using human embryos. Over the last decade, a surprising discovery has evolved to change the face of stem cell research. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult human somatic cells, typically skin or blood cells, that are genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state. Europe now maintains an iPSC bank and EBiSC2 is working on the framework that will boost its diversity, standardisation and ability to serve academic and commercial research with a sustainable business plan.
Objective
EBiSC2 builds on the achievements of the European Bank for iPSCs (EBiSC1) in centralising existing capacities across Europe in a unique banking and distribution infrastructure for research use in response to the increasing demand for human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Significant progress towards this aim has been made by EBiSC1; further resources, however, are required to ensure self-sustainability. Key partners of EBiSC1 who have delivered major assets of the current bank, join efforts to establish EBiSC2 as self-sustainable, central bank.
Based on a gap analysis of the EBiSC1 endeavours towards sustainability, and focussing on user demand, scientific excellence and productivity, EBiSC2 will deploy a business strategy for a sustainable, non-for-profit bank providing access to disease-relevant and quality-controlled iPSCs, along with comprehensive data and freedom to operate for academic and commercial use. To meet evolving requirements from industry and academia, the cell catalogue will be constantly enriched through on-demand generation of new iPSC lines, including gene-edited lines and isogenic controls, iPSC-derived and progenitor cells. EBiSC2 will distribute cell lines and develop a range of additional cell services (incl. screening panels of disease-relevant iPSC and control lines in ready-to-use-formats) to extend its offer, while reducing operational costs through state-of-the-art upscaling and automation enabling bulk production of standardised high-quality cells. Proof-of-concept studies performed jointly by academia and industry will demonstrate the reliability and robustness of the lines for disease modelling and screening and enrich the EBiSC2 catalogue with extensive data.
To bundle resources, EBiSC2 focuses on collaboration with iPSC programmes and aims to serve as central hub for EU-funded projects to bank their iPSC lines, and thus, enable long-term access by the research community to the results of European investments.
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RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
80686 Munchen
Germany
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Participants (18)
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
G1 2TB Glasgow
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2340 Beerse
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10117 Berlin
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LS2 7UE Leeds
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2970 Hoersholm
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3000 Leuven
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75008 Paris
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51373 Leverkusen
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RG21 4FA Basingstoke
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2500 Valby
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2880 Bagsvaerd
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1070 Bruxelles / Brussel
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CT13 9NJ Sandwich
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Participation ended
WC2B 4AE London
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53711 Madison Wi
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91190 GIF-SUR-YVETTE
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8152 Glattpark
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80333 Munchen
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