UK Stem Cell Bank highlights:
January 2005 - October 2006
Detailed reports on the establishment and progress of the UK Stem Cell Bank up to September 2005 are available elsewhere on this website . Updates will now be provided on this site on a regular basis.
Cell Line Accession and Banking
A number of human embryonic stem cell lines were banked in 2005 and this process continued in January 2006 following a break in November and December of 2005 for validation work including preparation of the MRC-5 bank described below. As many researchers appreciate the banking process for human embryonic stem cell lines is labour intensive and time consuming. As part of its approach to best practice the UKSCB prepares three levels of cell stocks (pre-master, master and distribution) for each cell line and each stock must pass a set of quality control tests. From January 2006 the banking procedures continued, including work on cells from the UK and Harvard University, and a growing number of embryonic stem cell lines will become available for general release as the Bank progresses through its 2006 workplan.
The UKSCB is part of the NIBSC scientific Division of Cell Biology and Imaging (CBI). In November 2005 staff from the UKSCB and other CBI staff collaborated to produce a GMP bank of human fibroblasts (MRC-5) cells. This was established using the Bank’s facilities and its Process Validation model which ensures that trained personnel, validated and accredited facilities, and standardised banking procedures, including the Bank’s testing strategy, produce qualified cell banks suitable for therapeutic use. This essential validation will be a pre-requisite to the re-accreditation of the Bank by the new UK licensing authority, the Human Tissues Authority, when the Bank’s accreditation comes up for renewal in June 2006. The MRC-5 cells were established at NIBSC and have a history of successful use as a cell substrate in the pharmaceutical industry. The newly established seed stock will provide a reliable source of the cells for future vaccine development around the world and also has potential applications as a cGMP-compliant human feeder layer for future use in cell therapies such as skin engraftment.
During January, considerable work was undertaken on the testing and characterisation strategy proposed by the Bank in May 2005. This has been extended into a set of core tests applicable to mammalian cell banking and an extended set of tests suitable for “Clinical or Therapeutic Grade” cell lines. Also in January work began to extend the laboratory facilities for the CBI Division at NIBSC. This will provide quality control and research laboratories, to be shared by the UKSCB, that may, in the future, permit the Bank to conduct more tests in house.
Technical Support, Advice and Scientific Activities
The Bank continued to provide support for the Medical Research Council led International Stem Cell Initiative project on Stem Cell Characterisation as the final samples are analysed.
The Bank hosted a second ‘technical forum’ for technical staff from many of the UK’s leading stem cell centres. The web-site is planning to provide a ‘discussion board’ to further technical interactions for this group. A quality forum targeted towards the IVF clinics and derivation centres has been proposed for 2006.
In December, NIBSC accepted a World Technology Award for the establishment of the UK Stem Cell Bank and its recognised achievements in promoting stem cell research.
Staff from the Bank contributed to scientific meetings including the Bio Industry Association Regenerative Medicine Conference (Edinburgh, 3rd November), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council ‘Cell Supply Chain’ Workshop (Wiltshire, 17th-18th November) the Stem Cell Conference (Brussels, 15th/16th December) and the International Stem Cell Forum (Paris, 13th January).
The Bank also hosted the usual stream of visitors including members of the Medical Research Council ‘SCOPE’ Committee, representatives of the Singapore Ministry of Health, Arlene Chiu from the Californian Institute for Regenerative Medicine and David Tan of the Singapore Biomedical Research Council.
The Bank has also been awarded an MRC Doctoral Training Award and is currently developing a project on cryopreservation with expertise in cryobiology at York University.
Management Activities and Reporting
The pivotal role of the Bank and the need for continued support was also endorsed in the report to the Treasury on stem cells, the ‘UK Stem Cell Initiative’, prepared by Sir John Pattison (web link).
The UKSCB Phase II Business Case for 2006-2011 was reviewed by the Medical Research Council ‘SCOPE’ committee following a visit by members of this committee to the Bank to discuss the business case. The Proposal and Business Case were endorsed by SCOPE and subsequently approved by the Medical Research Council in December. Council has now approved the full funding of £9.4, million requested by the UKSCB for the Phase II proposal.
Work has commenced on the Design Qualification for a new permanent building for the UK Stem Cell Bank that will be controlled under Project Initiation Document and project management under Prince 2 guidelines (web link). The Strategic programme and 2006 workplan for the NIBSC scientific division of Cell Biology and Imaging and the UKSCB have been established and will be the subject of regular review to ensure delivery of key outputs.
A fourth round of staff recruitment was initiated in January with evaluation of key staffing needs and drafting of job specifications. Details of new posts will be advertised through NIBSC and will be posted on the UKSCB website (link).
Glyn Stacey Ph.D.,
Director for the UK Stem Cell Bank,
Head of Division of Cell Biology and Imaging,
NIBSC, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, UK