The UCSC CIRM Shared Stem Cell Facility (SSCF) is an advanced stem cell laboratory for research and training in manipulation techniques and the production of transgenic organisms. It supports faculty-led research and the laboratory course for the UCSC CIRM Training Program in Systems Biology of Stem Cells. This facility enables work on non-NIH approved human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines.

The facility consists of a laboratory for embryonic stem cell growth and manipulation, a state-of-the-art transgenic facility, and staff with expertise in experimental design, protocol development, and data analysis.

The SSCF suite includes a core cell culture room and a cell culture training room for instructing individual researchers, small groups, and students taking the stem cell biology laboratory course. Adjoining rooms include a microscopy core that includes live imaging, a cytometry core, and rooms for reagent preparation and sample processing and analysis.

Stem cell laboratory

The stem cell laboratory houses equipment required for cell culture, a BD Biosciences FACSAria cell sorter, and a computer-linked inverted microscope and monitor that records images of living cells.  A high-throughput assay station consisting of a 96-well format luminometer and fluorometer is used for applying functional genomics techniques to the study of stem cell biology.

Contract services will soon be available for researchers outside the UCSC community. Contact for information.

Facility biohazard procedures (BL2)

All users must have an approved BUA on file and must fill out this SSCF safety questionnaire before doing any projects in the facility

• UCSC SSCF Safety Questionnaire