Stem Cell Analytics Core

December 13, 2021

The Stem Cell Analytics Core facilitates stem cell research and innovation for all investigators at CHLA. Led by David Cobrinik, MD, PhD, and Jennifer Aparicio, PhD, the Core can:

Distribute human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) cultures to researchers
Maintain stem cell lines, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines
Provide Core users with fully equipped, well-maintained tissue culture space for stem cell-related studies

If you are new to PSC cultures, Research Specialist Andrew Salas can share his expertise in a comprehensive PSC culture methods training course. The Core also houses shared equipment for all CHLA researchers, including a QuantStudio 7 Flex real-time PCR machine and a Nucleofector Device.

Our latest service is production of iPSCs from blood cells or fibroblasts. Core Manager Narine Harutyunyan reprograms these cells using episomal plasmids that harbor five reprogramming factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, L-Myc and Lin28—as well as p53sh and EBNA1 to enhance reprogramming efficiency.

Over a period of three months, the Core will reprogram cells, conduct critical quality control assays, and expand and make freezer stocks of several PSC clones. This service enables researchers to produce disease models constructed using the patients’ precise genetic backgrounds.

For more information, please contact stemcellcore@chla.usc.edu.