Governing stem cell banks and registries: Emerging Issues

The expansion of national and international research efforts in stem cell research is increasingly paired with the trend of establishing stem cell banks and registries. In jurisdictions crossing the spectrum of restrictive to liberal stem cell policies, banks and registries are emerging as an essential resource for transnational access to quality-controlled and ethically sourced stem cell lines. In this study, we report the preliminary findings of a survey of stem cell banks participating in the International Stem Cell Forum's International Stem Cell Banking Initiative (ISCBI). The questionnaire circulated to all ISCBI members addressed both general issues surrounding research policies (e.g., national policies regulating the permissibility of conducting embryonic stem cell research (hESCR)) and, more specifically, issues relating to the governance of stem cell banking projects. The results of the questionnaire were complemented by scholarly research conducted by the authors. This article provides an overview of the current international hESC banking landscape (I). For this purpose, the policy and governance approaches adopted in the surveyed stem cell banks at the national level will be analyzed and areas of convergence and variance will be identified (II). It is beyond the scope of this paper to provide a comprehensive analysis of the wide range of possible governance approaches, policy responses, and their implications. However, we want to provide a starting point for discussion surrounding key questions and challenges as concerns provenance, access, and deposit of hESC lines (III). Finally, while our analysis is focused on research grade hESCs, the lessons to be gleaned from this examination will encourage further thought, analysis, and research into the issues raised in the banking and governance of other sources of stem cell lines (e.g., SCNT, parthenogenesis, iPs) (IV).     

No borders, only frontiers: the Global Stem Cell Research Community and the ISSCR

In recent years, stem cell research has taken on a global character, fueling funding initiatives and political discussions in countries around the world. Stem cell research organizations must necessarily follow suit if they are to address the needs and concerns of a truly international membership. The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), a nonprofit organization formed in 2002, serves its diverse membership as well as other stakeholders by providing a global forum for learning about and discussing the latest issues, challenges, and advances in stem cell biology and related fields.     

International stem cell registries

Rapid advances in stem cell research have led to the derivation of hundreds of human embryonic stem (hES) cell lines in centers throughout the world, as well as the development of new technologies for producing pluripotent stem cells. These cell lines have unique characteristics and were derived using a variety of ethical guidelines. Stem cell registries have been developed in order to collect, organize, and disseminate cell line-specific information. In this review, we describe the current state of the field by providing an overview of the unique qualities and mandates of the three major stem cell registries: the European hES Cell Registry, the Registry of hES Cell Line Provenance developed by the International Society for Stem Cell Research, and the International Stem Cell Registry of hES and induced pluripotent stem cell lines established at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. While each registry has its own unique mandate and features, there is some overlap in the goals and information provided. This review discusses the challenges and prospects for an integrated approach in which all three registries effectively collaborate to minimize duplication and facilitate information exchange within the stem cell community.     

Aging within the Stem Cell niche

Decreased adult stem cell function is thought to play a primary role in organismal aging. Two recent papers in Cell Stem Cell demonstrate the importance of signaling from the stem cell niche in the aging of Drosophila germline stem cells.     

Advancing stem cell biology toward stem cell therapeutics

Here, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Clinical Translation Committee introduces a series of disease-specific articles, outlining the challenges surrounding the clinical translation of stem cell therapeutics.     

Stem cell therapies in clinical trials: workshop on best practices and the need for harmonization

A workshop addressing regulation of clinical implementation of stem cell therapies preceded the ISSCR 8th Annual Meeting, cosponsored by the International Society for Stem Cell Research, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the International Society for Cellular Therapy.     

On the streets of San Francisco: highlights from the ISSCR Annual Meeting 2010

The 2010 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) was held in San Francisco in June with an exciting program covering a wealth of stem cell research from basic science to clinical research.     

The time is right: proteome biology of stem cells

In stem cell biology, there is a growing need for advanced technologies that may help to unravel the molecular mechanisms of self-renewal and differentiation. Proteomics, the comprehensive analysis of proteins, is such an emerging technique. To facilitate interactions between specialists in proteomics and stem cell biology,a new initiative has been undertaken, supported by the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). Here we present the Proteome Biology of Stem Cells Initiative (PBSCI) and report on its goals and future activities.     

Proteome biology of stem cells

The notion that integration of cutting-edge technologies in stem cell research would be enhanced by proteomic analyses has emanated from rapid advances in proteome technology. These advances have increased the probability that basic properties of stem cells will be elucidated more effectively, leading to acceleration toward novel stem cell therapies. We have therefore sought to establish a world-wide alliance of proteomics and stem cell researchers, which has resulted in the foundation of an initiative supported by the Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO) and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) called the Proteome Biology of Stem Cells Initiative. Here we report on the rationale and goals of this initiative.     

Cortex shatters the glass ceiling

Recreating developmental structures in vitro has been a primary challenge for stem cell biologists. Recent studies in Cell Stem Cell (Eiraku et al., 2008) and Nature (Gaspard et al., 2008) demonstrate that embryonic stem cells can recapitulate early cortical development, enabling them to generate specific cortical subtypes.     

Novel insights in basic and applied stem cell therapy

The achievement of novel findings in stem cell research were the subject of the meeting organized by Stem Cell Research Italy (SCR Italy) and by the International Society for Cellular Therapy-Europe (ISCT). Stem cell therapy represents great promise for the future of molecular and regenerative medicine. The use of several types of stem cells is a real opportunity to provide a valid approach to curing several untreatable human diseases. Before it is suitable for clinical applications, stem cell biology needs to be investigated further and in greater detail. Basic stem cell research could provide exact knowledge regarding stem cell action mechanisms, and pre-clinical research on stem cells on an in vivo model of disease provides scientific evidence for future human applications. Applied stem cell research is a promising new approach to handling several diseases. Along with tissue engineering, it offers a new and promising discipline that can help to manage human pathologies through stem cell therapy. All of these themes were discussed in this meeting, covering stem cell subtypes with their newest basic and applied research.     

Stem cells down under-ISSCR 2007

Cairns, Queensland, Australia provided the venue for the 5th annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), June 17-20, 2007. Consonant with the young society's mission to serve the international stem cell community, this meeting was the first held outside North America. The meeting drew attendees from 44 countries, with excellent representation from the Asia/Pacific region. The more than 120 presentations and 1000 posters covered virtually all aspects of the stem cell field and provided a snapshot of current areas of investigation. Here we review some of the newest findings in an effort to convey the energy and excitement of the meeting and the tempo of stem cell science.     

Stem cells remember their grade

The stem cell state is understood based on what cells do in performance assays, crude measures of a highly refined state. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Dykstra et al. (2007) reveal stem cell gradation and the extent to which that gradation is retained in stem cell daughters of hematopoietic stem cells.     

Changing places: a novel type of niche and stem cell coordination in the Drosophila ovary

The Drosophila ovary has been a favorite model for the study of stem cells within their niche. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Nystul and Spradling (2007) study somatic stem cells within a novel kind of niche and reveal the complexity and coordination of stem cell behavior.     

Engineering stem cell expansion

In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Csaszar et al. (2012) develop a culture method that overcomes current limitations in ex vivo hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell expansion by continuously diluting inhibitory signaling factors and maintaining stem cell density. This approach enhances the generation of precursors with potential therapeutic utility.     

Manipulating midbrain stem cell self-renewal

In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Falk and colleagues (Falk et al., 2008) demonstrate that differential responsiveness to TGF-beta signaling selectively modulates self-renewal of dorsal midbrain stem cells. This observation may lead to strategies for expanding specific neural stem cell subtypes.     

A web of imprinting in stem cells

Imprinted genes are the prototypical epigenetically regulated genes. On the basis of findings in adult lung stem cells, Zacharek et?al. (2011) suggest in this issue of Cell Stem Cell that epigenetic silencing of imprinted genes is a common requirement for maintaining self-renewal in adult stem cell populations.     

Uncapping the potential of renal stem cells

In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, McMahon and coworkers (Kobayashi et al., 2008) characterize a subset of progenitor cells in the developing kidney. six2-expressing mesenchymal cells exhibit hallmark stem cell traits, in that they appear to self-renew and are clonally multipotent for a range of nephron epithelial cell types.     

Cancer: Inappropriate Expression of Stem Cell Programs?

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that possess characteristics, including self-renewal, associated with normal stem cells. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Wong et al. (2008) define a core embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like gene expression program that may be important for CSC function in multiple epithelial cancers.     

An argument against a role for Oct4 in somatic stem cells

Reports of Oct4 expression in somatic and cancer cells have suggested that Oct4 could regulate self-renewal in somatic stem cells as it does in embryonic stem cells. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Lengner et al. (2007) provide compelling evidence that Oct4 is neither expressed in nor required for somatic stem cell function.