EBiSC best practice: How to ensure optimal generation, qualification, and distribution of iPSC lines

• Published in: Stem cell reports 2021-08, Vol.16 (8), p.1853-1867
• Main Authors: Steeg, Rachel, Mueller, Sabine C, Mah, Nancy, Holst, Bjørn, Cabrera-Socorro, Alfredo, Stacey, Glyn N, De Sousa, Paul A, Courtney, Aidan, Zimmermann, Heiko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological Specimen Banks - ethics; Biological Specimen Banks - standards; Biological Specimen Banks - statistics & numerical data; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Cell Culture Techniques - standards; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cell Line; Cellular Reprogramming - genetics; Cryopreservation - methods; Europe; Humans; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - cytology; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - metabolism; Quality Control
• ISSN: 2213-6711; 2213-6711
• DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.07.009

Disease-relevant human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are generated worldwide for research purposes; however, without robust and practical ethical, legal, and quality standards, there is a high risk that their true potential will not be realized. Best practices for tissue procurement, iPSC reprogramming, day-to-day cultivation, quality control, and data management aligned with an ethical and legal framework must be included into daily operations to ensure their promise is maximized. Here we discuss key learning experiences from 7 years of operating the European Bank for induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (EBiSC) and recommend how to incorporate solutions into a daily management framework.