Core Unit Stem Cells

e.g. skin, blood, urine

application of non integrating vectors e.g. Sendai Virus, mRNA

- Expression of pluripotency markers (FACS, IF, PCR)
- Whole Genome Gene Expression Profiling (PluriTest) 
- Differentiation potential (differentiation into cells of the three germ layers, 
   teratoma formation)
- genetic integrity (SNP Array, KaryoBoB)
- Identity (STR Fingerprinting)
- microbial contamination (sterility, mykoplasma, human viral pathoges)

Gene KnockOut, KnockIn of transgenes e.g. GFP, introduction and correction of mutations using CRISPR/Cas or TALEN 

- production and validation of cell banks
- the Core Facility established a range of fully characterized hiPSC lines (e.g. BIHi001-A) which can be used as a reference
- an overview of the provided cell lines can be found in the human Pluripotent Stem Cell Registry (hPSCreg).

e.g. cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, neurons, neural stem cells, renal progenitor cells, hepatocytes

e.g. cerebral organoids, kidney organoids

FACS (MACSQuant Analyzer VYB and MACSQuant Sorter Tyto), RT-PCR (QuantStudio 6), Phase-contrast-, stereo- and fluorescence-microscopes, transfection (Amaxa, Neon), hypoxia-incubators, Picking Hoods

e.g. special media, viral/non-viral vectors (in cooperation with the Viral Core Facility of the Charité)

the core provides it users a constantly growing portfolio of state of the art protocols that includes methods for culture, characterization and quality control, cryo-preservation, differentiation and genetic manipulation.

support for project planning, grand application and ethical approvals

The generation and differentiation, but also establishment of disease models, require a profound knowledge and hands-on expertise of maintaining and manipulating hiPSCs in tissue culture.

The processes involved in these aspects of hPSC handling in tissue culture are labor intensive and distinct from that of other mammalian cell cultures. The BIH Core Facility Stem Cells organizes regular training on these methodologies.

The training is intended for researchers and technicians who are planning projects using human iPSCs and/or will start working with hiPSCs in the near future.