UK Stem Cell Bank steering committee
Established in response to recommendations from the House of Lords Select Committee on Stem Cell Research, the Steering Committee oversees the activities of the UK Stem Cell Bank and the use of human embryonic stem cell lines in the UK.
UKSCBSC meetings in 2021 will be as follows:
- February 2021 and the closing date for applications will be 1st February 2021
Background
The Steering Committee was established in December 2002 as an independent national committee overseeing the activities of the UK Stem Cell Bank and UK research involving established human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines, whether obtained from the Bank or from elsewhere. The role of the Steering Committee is to support stem cell research and to ensure that this is conducted within an ethical framework that is transparent to the public.
Steering Committee Terms of Reference
- To develop and monitor implementation of a code of practice for the Bank and for the use of stem cell lines.
- To review on a case by case basis all applications to deposit and access embryonic stem cell lines.
- To monitor all applications to deposit and access fetal and adult stem cell lines.
- To ensure that strategies are in place to manage risk.
- To address issues reported by the local Management Committee for the Bank.
- To consider issues identified by the User and Clinical Liaison Committees.
- To report at least annually to the MRC.
- To brief health and science ministers annually and advise them on request or as the need arises.
The Steering Committee also takes advice from other experts in specialist areas as necessary.
Membership
The membership of the Committee includes expertise in science, medicine, ethics and theology as well as lay members and representatives from regulatory and funding agencies.
UK Code of Practice for the Use of Human Stem Cell Lines
All UK research involving the use of hESC lines is expected to comply with the UK Code of Practice for the Use of Human Stem Cell Lines (PDF, 502KB).
Approval of human stem cell lines and their use in the UK
The Steering Committee for the UK Stem Cell Bank and for the Use of Stem Cell Lines must satisfy itself that human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines used in the UK:
- have been ethically sourced with appropriately informed donor consents (meeting UK standards of consent as a minimum);
- and are to be used for valuable and ethical research projects reflecting the requirements of the HFEA regulations.
UK Stem Cell Line Registry
The UK Stem Cell Line Registry (PDF, 212KB) lists human embryonic stem cell lines that have been approved by the Steering Committee for use in the UK (including importation).
However, whilst the individual lines have been approved for use in the UK, UK researchers wishing to use/import these cell lines must in addition apply to the Steering Committee for specific approval of their research project.
An increasing number of lines are being made available through the UK Stem Cell Bank. It is considered best practice to use the UK Stem Cell Bank where possible, in order to ensure that researchers are working with high quality, standardised cell lines.
Applications to the Steering Committee
Applications will be considered for the following purposes:
- Depositing new hESC lines into the UK Stem Cell Bank (no associated research project required)
- Importation of hESC lines into the UK for use in a research project
- Export of UK approved hESC lines overseas for use in a research project
- Access to hESC lines from the UK Stem Cell Bank for use in a research project (“Application to Access”)
- Use of hESC lines from other UK sources in a research project (“Application to Use”).
Application forms can be accessed from the NIBSC application form web page.
For further information or advice, please contact:
Administrator for the UK Stem Cell Bank Steering Committee
Secretariat, c/o Medical Research Council
2nd Floor, David Philips Building
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1FL
Email: stemcellsecretary@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
Tel (01793) 416 349
or
Natasha Jardine
Secretariat for the UK Stem Cell Bank Steering Committee
c/o Medical Research Council
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1SZ
Email: natasha.jardine@mrc.ukri.org