Year 4

Over the last reporting period, the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Shared Research Lab (SRL) has been involved with human pluripotent stem cell research and rodent embryonic stem cell research with CHLA and USC research institutions. We are also participating in collaborative research with the USC Stem Cell Core facility on projects that aims to understand the biological properties of hPSC and to develop improved technologies for working with these cells.

The CHLA (SRL) provides comprehensive support for researchers in the Los Angeles area, offering services including quality controlled cells and reagents, shared equipment, laboratory space, technical assistance, consultation, biobanking and training. Although the CHLA SRL does not run a formal CIRM funded techniques course, CHLA in collaboration with Dr. Victoria Fox from the USC Stem Cell Core Facility offered a two and a half day workshop for CHLA investigators wishing to learn pluripotent stem cell culture techniques. We plan to offer this course a twice a year–open to CHLA and non-CHLA researchers. We also offer a 2.5 day basic cell culture course for investigators needing an introduction to the techniques required to work with these systems. We plan to offer this course at twice a year, and as needed to CHLA and non-CHLA researcher. The SRL also provided significant one-on-one training to CHLA researchers and mentored a student attending the USC Early Investigators High School Summer Program in Stem Cell Research and the CIRM STAR program, which is supported by a CIRM funded creativity award.

The stem cell core was instrumental in mentoring and supporting CIRM bridges students during the last year. We provided support, knowledge, and education regarding their projects and technical assistance with cell expansion.