Year 2

The USC Stem Cell Core Shared Research Laboratory (SRL), located at the Eli Edythe Broad CIRM center, is a comprehensive support center and central hub for researchers working with stem cells. This laboratory functions to accelerate research involving pluripotent stem cells through the provision of cells, reagents, equipment, technical assistance, training and shared laboratory space. The SRL has provided a variety of services to over 30 laboratories undertaking a diverse range of projects in the fields of stem cell and developmental biology, regenerative and translational medicine, epigenetics, reprograming, cancer biology, biochemistry and bioengineering. We offer a comprehensive hPSC techniques course and customized ‘modular’ training program to researchers and CIRM bridges students throughout the LA area. Our formal biobanking services enable researchers to bank and preserve hPSC lines without the normal worries associated with cryopreserving these cells.
The SRL also operates a research and development program which validates new technologies for maintaining and manipulating human pluripotent stem cells. We are currently centralizing methods for generating human iPSC’s and continue to work on the establishment of improved techniques for genetically modifying hPSC’s. In collaboration with other USC researchers the SRL is working to make transgenic hPSC lines carrying neural reporter genes available to the research community. We are also addressing key issues regarding the in vitro requirements for hPSC during single cell plating.