Research

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 2018 will be as follows:

October 2018 and the closing date for applications will be 28 September 2018

February 2019 and the closing date for applications will be 4 February 2019

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.

The Steering Committee is a non-statutory body that reports annually to the MRC, works closely with the Department of Health, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

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. 

Membership of the Steering Committee for the UK Stem Cell Bank and for the Use of Stem Cell Lines
Professor Gordon Stamp Acting Chair, Director of the Histopathology Department, Imperial College
Dr Fiona Alderdice School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast
Professor Malcolm Alison Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry
Dr Yen Choo Executive Chairman, Plasticell Ltd
Professor Steve Dunnett Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University
Professor Robin Gill Professor or Applied Theology, University of Kent
Professor Søren Holm Professor of Bioethics, University of Manchester
Professor Rosamund Scott Professor of Medical Law and Ethics, King’s College London
Professor Azim Surani The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge
Professor Andrew Webster Director of the Science and Technology Studies Unit, University of York

Mr David Scott

 Lay member
Ms Sarah Tozzi Lay member
Observers Representing Health Departments and Regulatory Agencies

Ms Angharad Kerr

 National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR)

Dr Jo Mountford

 Scottish Executive Health Department

Dr Jill Shepherd

 The Human Tissue Authority

Ms Anna Quinn

 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

Mr Colin Pavelin

 Department of Health
Research Council Representatives
Dr Frances Rawle Medical Research Council
Dr David Pan Medical Research Council
Dr Jef Grainger Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

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).

This Code provides guidance on best practice for those working with stem cell lines and specifies oversight mechanisms for research involving human embryonic stem cell lines. This applies to hESC lines accessed from the UK Stem Cell Bank, as well as those obtained from other sources, including overseas.

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.

The ethical provenance of lines not currently registered for use in the UK will be reviewed at the time of deposit into the UK Stem Cell Bank (mandatory for UK hESC lines) or at the time of application to import the line into the UK for overseas lines. Approved lines are listed in the UK Stem Cell Line Registry (PDF, 183KB).

UK Stem Cell Line Registry

The UK Stem Cell Line Registry (PDF, 183KB) 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 UK Stem Cell Bank.

Deposit and Export Applications should take no longer than three months from the submission to decision. For other applications, the Secretariat has delegated authority to fast-track decisions based on specific criteria set out in the UK Code of Practice for the Use of Human Stem Cell Lines (PDF, 502KB). In these circumstances and where all necessary information has been provided, approvals may be issued within a shorter time frame (<1week). Where urgent approvals are required, please contact the Secretariat to discuss your application prior to submission.

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

Megan Dowie

Secretariat for the UK Stem Cell Bank Steering Committee
c/o  Medical Research Council
14th Floor
One Kemble Street
London
WC2B 4AN

Email: megan.dowie@mrc.ukri.org

Tel: 020 7395 2247