California's Stem Cell Agency

Progress Report: CIRM support for the core activities and initiatives over the last two years has resulted in the establishment of a robust shared laboratory facility that has allowed us to meet and exceed all of the original goals outlined in our initial proposal including renovation of the laboratory space that accommodates research and educational activities on pluripotent stem cells, reprogramming, cancer stem cells and directed differentiation. The space has been equipped for standard and advanced stem cell applications. In addition, we have established a human tissue bank that incorporates tissues donated for derivation of novel pluripotent stem cell lines and studies of reprogramming and differentiation. Research that has benefit from the shared laboratory space and stem cell courses includes studies of cell senescence and telomerase function in stem cells, human and mouse embryology, derivation of disease-specific human embryonic stem cell lines, urinary incontinence, Marfan syndrome, cancer, cardiovascular health, mitochondrial reprogramming, somatic cell nuclear transfer, diabetes, cystinosis, Parkinson’s disease, autism, and basic studies of growth factor function, somatic and germ line development, establishment of pluripotency and mechanisms underlying reprogramming. In addition to assisting research efforts, our program serves as one of the CIRM-supported centers of education to host students from the CIRM Bridges program enrolled in the California State University system. The Stem Cell Courses have been highly-rated by all participants and have sparked additional course offerings for graduate, medical and postdoctoral students, as well as undergraduates and visiting scholars. Workshops and seminars have been added to cover the latest technologies and provide a venue for interaction of scientists from diverse backgrounds. Overall, the Shared Laboratory and Stem Cell Courses funding has greatly stimulated research on pluripotent stem cells and has had a major effect on the community in direct or indirect support of publications and support of grant applications for additional funding. CIRM support for the core activities and initiatives, during the last year, has resulted in the further expansion of our Stanford Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education. This Center has met, and exceeded, all of the original goals outlined in our initial proposal as indicated in the previous report including renovation of laboratory space, active use to support research and education, establishment of the only stem cell bank in the state of California that incorporates stem cell lines (hESCs and iPSCs) as well as donated embryos and oocytes and primary dermal fibroblasts. In addition, we maintain protocols and personnel to obtain skin biopsies and a viral facility to establish lines. Finally, we have expanded to include educational workshops and symposia Overall summary of progress from September 1, 2013 to February 28, 2015 is described. CIRM support for the core activities and initiatives, during the last year, has resulted in the further expansion of the Stanford Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education. This Center has met, and exceeded, all of the original goals outlined in our initial proposal and has substantially expanded to further expand the only stem cell bank in the state of California that incorporates stem cell lines (hESCs and iPSCs) as well as donated embryos and oocytes and primary somatic cells. We have incorporated iPSCs throughout the research and educational activities. In addition, we have now incorporated methods of genome editing into our research program. We continue to expand our teaching to include derivation of iPSCs with mRNAs and to reach out beyond original courses to include undergraduate and graduate quarter-long courses. The scope of research taking place in the facility between September 1, 2013 to February 28, 2015 encompassed that described in our previous report, as well as new efforts with an emphasis on: 1) Human embryology and derivation of hESCs, 2) cell fate specification and reprogramming, 3) cancer and cancer stem cells, and 4) directed differentiation to diverse lineages including the hematopoietic, cardiac and neural lineages. Over the last year, more than 25 laboratories received support for their research and in many cases, were able to conduct studies to generate data required to apply for funding for a full research program, thus bringing in funds to California. The Stem Cells Techniques component of our Center consisted of three activities in 2013-2015: 1) The Stanford Pluripotent Stem Cell Training Course; 2) Individual Advanced Training; and 3) Seminars and Workshops which include broadly undergraduate educational classes (didactic and laboratory-based).