Resources
- CIRM Regulations
- Department of Public Health Stem Cell Research Program
- NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry
- NIH Stem Cell Information
- UK Stem Cell Bank
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Definitions
Covered stem cells: defines the SCRO’s jurisdiction. A “covered stem cell line” means a culture-derived, human pluripotent stem cell population that is capable of: (1) sustained propagation in culture; and (2) self-renewal to produce daughter cells with equivalent developmental potential. This definition includes both embryonic and non-embryonic human stem cell lines, regardless of the tissue of origin.
Pluripotent means capable of differentiation into mesoderm, ectoderm and endoderm.
Human embryonic stem cells are defined as pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of pre-implantation blastocysts. They are defined by their ability to proliferate for prolonged periods in vitro as an undifferentiated population and to differentiate into adult cell types representing all three embryonic germ layers.
Human embryonic germ cells are defined as pluripotent stem cells derived from primordial germ cells isolated from the gonadal ridges of 5- to 10-week-old human embryos. They are capable of sustained self renewal in vitro and differentiation into adult cell types representing all three embryonic germ layers.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are defined as a type of pluripotent stem cell generated from somatic cells by enforcing the expression of reprogramming genes. They are capable of prolonged self renewal in vitro and differentiate to make cell types corresponding to all three embryonic germ layers.