Derivation and Culture of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs)

Established in 2015 in collaboration with the UK Stem Cell
Bank, this 4-day practical course includes lectures, discussions and
laboratory-based training sessions covering current theory and best
practices with regard to derivation, culture and characterisation of
human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).

Learning Outcomes
After attending this course, participants should be able to:

• Recognise key principles of GCCP and aseptic processing including the role of antibiotics
• Assess and identify key advantages, disadvantages  and critical elements of different approaches to somatic cell reprogramming
• Assess and identify undifferentiated, fully reprogrammed iPSCs compared to partially reprogrammed iPSC colonies
• Recognise critical aspects for successful preservation and storage
• Evaluate the recovery of iPSCs and identify viable cells
• Identify undifferentiated morphology of confluent iPSCs ready for passaging
• Identify and troubleshoot critical aspects in the passaging and maintenance of undifferentiated iPSCs
• Recognise the importance of core QC and potential consequences of failing to carry it out
• Evaluate different capabilities of each method of determining potential pluripotency
• Understand the basic principles of flow cytometry and its application to iPSC

The programme will include lecture, discussion and practical laboratory sessions covering the following topics:

• Good Cell Culture Practice (GCCP) and aseptic processing
• Approaches for reprogramming of somatic cells (reprogramming methodologies – virus and episomal; somatic cell types – skin fibroblasts and PBMCs)
• Lectures on application of iPSC cells in disease modelling, genome editing and differentiation
• Cryopreservation and recovery
• Passaging
• Quality control (identity, karyology, mycoplasma, sterility, cell markers)
• Assessing pluripotency and differentiation of iPSC

Lead Instructors
Laurence Daheron Harvard Stem Cell
Institute, USA
Minal Patel Cellular Generation and
Phenotyping, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK
Glyn Stacey International Stem Cell Banking Initiative,
UK
Orla O’Shea UK Stem Cell Bank, The National Institute
for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), UK

Guest speakers
Milena Bellin Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
Rick Livesey
The Gurdon Institute, UK
Mark Tomishima
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
Tristan Thwaites Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK

Prerequisites
Applicants should be scientists or clinicians engaged in relevant
research.

Cost
The
course is subsidised by the Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses
and Scientific Conferences Programme. This is a residential
course and
there is a fee of £445 towards board and lodging for
non-commercial applicants. Please contact us for the commercial fee.

Additional limited bursaries are available (up to 50%
of the course fee)
and are awarded on merit. Please see the “Bursaries”
tab for details.

Applications
Applications for this course can be completed online. If you have any
problems with the online application process, please contact us.

Please note: Applications
must be supported by a
recommendation from a scientific or clinical sponsor (e.g. supervisor or
head of department). A request for a supporting
statement will be sent
to your nominated sponsor automatically during
the application process.
Applicants must ensure that their sponsor
provides this supporting
statement by the application deadline. Applications without a supporting
statement cannot be considered.

Deadlines
Deadline for Applications: Closed

Travel visas
Please contact the
event organiser if you require a letter to support a travel visa
application. Note that letters will be provided to confirmed attendees.

Non-European Economic Area or Swiss nationals may be required to have a
visa to enter the UK.
Early application is strongly advised, as this process can take 6-8 weeks
or longer.

Please visit the following websites for further information:
UK Border Agency website and information for general visitors and business
visitors.

Cost
The
course is subsidised by the Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses
and
Scientific Conferences Programme. This is a residential
course and
there is a fee of £445 towards board and lodging for
non-commercial applicants. Please contact us for the commercial fee.

Bursaries
Advanced Courses are subsidised for non-commercial applicants from
anywhere in the world. Additional, limited bursaries are
available (up
to 50% of the course fee) and are awarded on merit. If you would like to
apply for a
bursary, please complete the bursary section of the online
application
form.

Please note that both the applicant
and sponsor are required to provide
a justification for the
bursary as part of the application.

Bursary terms and conditions

UK Courses (held at the Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton,
Cambridge)
A
limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are
awarded by the selection committee according to merit. The bursary
covers a maximum of 50% of the course fee, though in exceptional
circumstances an application for the total course fee may be considered.
Where there are many bursary applications, the selection committee may
issue smaller amounts. We cannot assist with travel costs to attend UK
courses.

Overseas Courses (held outside of the UK)
A
limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are
awarded on merit to cover travel, accommodation and sustenance. The
maximum award for travel (economy class) will be £750.

Bursaries can be applied for as part of the course application form.
Applicants
will be notified of a bursary award along with their place on
the
course, usually within one month of the application deadline. The
decision of the selection committee is
final.