Stem Cell Core
The University of Connecticut Stem Cell Core provides
expertise and training in techniques needed for research
involving human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The core’s
services are available to scientists at the University of
Connecticut and Wesleyan University as well as other
institutions. Currently housed at the UConn Health Center in
Farmington, Connecticut, the core is performing culture,
banking and quality control of nine different hESC lines.
The Stem Cell Core’s overall mission is to contribute to
advancing stem cell therapies for human disease.
The hESC cell lines maintained by the Stem Cell Core are
derived from donated preimplantation embryo, although other
technologies, such somatic nuclear transfer, may be a source
of such cells in the future. HESCs have an extraordinary
property called pluripotency and, because of this, can
generate any type of cell or tissue in the human body.
Research studies using hESCs to discover cell
therapies for Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease,
spinal injuries, diabetes, and heart disease are under way. Researchers,
including Dr. David Rowe’s group at the UConn Health Center,
are using hESCs to discover new ways to repair and
regenerate human bones. HESCs are also an invaluable
research tool to understand early human development as well
as for screening potential drug candidates for
embryotoxicity, mutagenicity, and cytotoxicity.
Supported by a Core Facility grant to the University of
Connecticut and Wesleyan University from the State of
Connecticut Stem Cell Research Program, the Stem Cell Core
currently aims to:
- Culture and bank currently available hESC lines and
useful, genetically modified lines, and provide training in hESC culture and differentiation to all eligible researchers
throughout Connecticut and beyond.
- Track and control the quality of hESC lines for cell
identity, pluripotency, karyotype, mycoplasma contamination,
and provide validation of hESC culture materials.
- Derive new hESC lines under animal-free and chemically
defined culture conditions from extra embryos donated to in
vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics with diagnosed genotypes.
- Organize cross-campus workshops and reach out to
scientists, students and members of the community to
understand and promote stem cell research in Connecticut.
The schedule of stem cell seminars is listed
here.
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