Shared Resources Laboratories for Stem Cell-Based Modeling

CIRM is supporting a network of 11 shared resources laboratories (SRLs) for stem cell-based modeling. CIRM’s SRLs are core labs open to researchers and educators not only at the host institution but across California, providing access to:

Expertise and resources for stem cell-based modeling
Core facilities, specialized services, and equipment
Training in using stem cell-based models
Educational resources and activities, including formal techniques courses.

Contact ugrieshammer@cirm.ca.gov if you are interested in learning more about these labs and resources.

Photo Credit: City of Hope

Stem Cell-Based Modeling

This approach uses laboratory-grown stem cells to mimic human tissues or organs for the study of human biology and disease.

Research

Interested in stem cell-based modeling?
Need support with your stem cell-based models, their analysis?
Want access to cutting edge instrumentation?

Explore the table below to learn about SRLs’ research offerings.

Training and Education

Interested in stem cell related courses for your students?
Need to hone your lab skills in a workshop?
Want to explore course offerings?

Visit SRLs’ websites to learn about their educational offerings.

Shared Resources Laboratories — Research Offerings

Visit the SRLs’ websites directly for information on training, services, and usage.

SRL Institution and Program Director	Modeling Expertise Offered	Techniques / Assays Offered	Instruments / Equipment
Cedars-Sinai-CIRM SRL Arun Sharma	Brain (neurons) Gut Heart (cardiomyocytes) hiPSC-derived 2D cultures hiPSC-derived organoids Organ-on-chip cultures	Bulk RNA-seq Single cell RNA-seq Single nucleus RNA-seq Supply of hiPSC lines	Cell culture equipment Electrophysiology (MEA) Automated microscopy / microplate reader Real-time live cell imaging Size/weight/density measurement of spherical biosamples Microgravity cultures Microscopy – confocal Genetic analysis
COH-CIRM SRL Nadia Carlesso	Coming soon
Gladstone-CIRM SRL Bruce Conklin	Heart (cardiomyocytes) Sensory neurons hPSC-derived 2D cultures	hiPSC maintenance hiPSC reprogramming Clone picking Cell line banking hiPSC line quality control (QC) Supply of hiPSC lines	Cell culture equipment Liquid handlers Microplate readers High throughput imaging Nucleofection In vitro transcription Nanoparticle formulation and characterization
Humboldt-CIRM SRL Amy Sprowles	Brain (cortical neurons, organoids, neurospheres)	hPSC maintenance & characterization hiPSC reprogramming & validation Extracellular vesicle sizing and dispensing Cell printing Immunofluorescence Immunoblot Immunoprecipitation	Cell Culture Facilities Cryostat Nucleofector Confocal and Fluorescence Microscopy Flow Cytometry/Cell Sorting Bioprinting Microplate Reader Nanoparticle Sizer and Dispenser
Lundquist-CIRM SRL Denise Al Alam	Coming soon	hiPSC generation hiPSC genome engineering Single cell analysis	qPCR Flow Cytometry/Cell Sorting Fluorescent Microscopy Electroporation System Metabolism (Seahorse)
Salk-CIRM SRL Fred Gage	Brain (neurons, astrocytes) hiPSC-derived 2D cultures Directly reprogrammed cells Focus: aging	hiPSC culture and maintenance Direct reprogramming hiPSC derivation hiPSC characterization & quality control (QC) CRISPR genome engineering Supply of disease-specific hiPSC lines, hESCs	Cell culture equipment Real-time live cell imaging Microscopy – confocal Metabolism (Seahorse) Electrophysiology (MEA)
UC Merced-CIRM SRL Kara McCloskey	Vasculature (progenitor cells, endothelial cells) hiPSC-derived 2D cultures Vascular stem cell-derived 2D cultures On-chip modeling (microvasculature)	hiPSC reprogramming Stem cell characterization Small animal imaging	Cell culture equipment MicroCT scanning Optical imaging PET scanning Fluorescence-activated cell sorting Microscopy – confocal, laser scanning Histology
UCI-CIRM SRL Craig Walsh	Brain (neurons) hiPSC-derived organoids	CRISPR genome editing Flow cytometry/cell sorting Bioengineering/bioprinting High-dimensional and spatial analysis Human iPSC and CRISPR a/i lines coming soon	Cell culture equipment Imaging mass cytometry (Helios, Hyperion) MACSIMA ultrahigh-content imaging system Flow cytometry and Cell Sorting PALA single cell sorter/dispenser PRIMO micropatterning 3D bioprinting Microscopy – confocal, fluorescent High-dimensional and spatial data analysis
UCLA-CIRM SRL Kathrin Plath	Brain Skeletal muscle Automated hPSC-derived 2D cultures	hiPSC reprogramming CRISPR genome engineering Genomic integrity testing	Automated cell culture Automated imaging
UCSB-CIRM SRL Dennis Clegg	Embryo models Brain Retina hPSC-derived organoids Focus: neurodevelopment, neurodegenerative diseases, eye diseases, rare diseases	Spatial transcriptomics Supply of hESC and hiPSC lines Supply of disease-specific and modified lines Supply of Allen lines–(56 hiPSC lines with organelle / structural reporters)	Cell culture equipment Microplate reader Microscopy – confocal, fluorescent Transmission electron microscope Long-term timelapse imaging Flow Cytometry Metabolism (Seahorse)
USC-CIRM SRL Nils Lindstrom	Brain (cortical forebrain, cerebellum) Kidney hiPSC-derived organoids	hiPSC reprogramming hiPSC characterization & quality control (QC) Organoid protocol optimization CRISPR genome engineering Single cell RNA-seq Single cell ATAC-seq Single nucleus RNA-seq Single nucleus ATAC-seq Spatial transciptomics Computational Genomics and Multiomic Analysis (R, Python, and other Machine Learning Workflows) AI-assisted Predictive Modeling and Analytics Supply of hiPSC lines	Cell culture equipment Electrophysiology (MEA) Microscopy – confocal Real-time live cell imaging 3D Light sheet imaging Flow Cytometry Microplate reader Single Cell and Nuclei Multiomics Spatial Transciptomics DNA/RNA extraction and library prep Image Processing and Analysis