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Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL)

The SCTL utilizes the latest technology and techniques in stem cell research to investigate innovative methodologies for accelerating the therapeutic development process.

About SCTL

The progress made in stem cell biology over the past decade has opened many new opportunities for basic and translational scientists worldwide. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are particularly useful because scientists can group them into many specialized cell types to use for research or regenerative medicine applications (e.g., cell and gene therapy).

About the Science

Scientists produce iPSCs by reprogramming adult cells (e.g., skin cells, blood cells) to an embryonic stem cell–like state, where they have the potential to become any cell type of the human body. iPSC-based therapies are ideal because they use a patient's own cells, preventing such potential complications as rejection by the immune system. In addition, scientists can use iPSCs to produce the large amounts of relevant cells (e.g., nerve cells, liver cells) needed for disease research, tissue engineering, toxicology and regenerative medicine. Major limitations that currently impede the application of iPSCs include the lack of highly reproducible and well-defined procedures required to generate, characterize and differentiate patient-specific iPSCs safely for preclinical and clinical use.

About the Lab

To establish and move stem cell technologies forward through a more centralized effort, NIH has launched the Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL) within NCATS. Initially part of the NIH Common Fund's Regenerative Medicine Program, the goal of the SCTL is to bring iPSC technology closer to clinical applications and drug development. Through the SCTL, NCATS provides researchers across various disciplines and organizations access to innovative protocols and resources to advance the translation of regenerative medicine applications. Through a multidisciplinary collaborative team approach, NCATS' SCTL scientists aim to:

  1. Establish quality control (QC) standards to define pluripotency and differentiated cell types
  2. Develop methods to assess heterogeneity and characterize iPSC-derived cells using multi-omics technologies
  3. Develop standardized methods to produce mature and functional cells meeting the QC standards above
  4. Discover, validate and disseminate small-molecule reagents to replace expensive recombinant proteins, xenogeneic material and undefined media components in cell differentiation protocols

SCTL News

FUJIFILM Wako Chemicals U.S.A. Commercializes CEPT Cocktail for Research-Use iPSC Applications

April 20, 2023 - Media Coverage

  • Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL)

Painkillers That Don’t Kill

March 14, 2022 - Media Coverage

  • Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL)

Robots Could Spur Use of Stem Cells in the Laboratory and Clinic

February 14, 2022 - NCATS News

  • Automation
  • Our Impact on Research Operations
  • Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL)

NCATS scientists used robots to automate the culturing of stem cells, thus speeding up the process and bringing stem cells one step closer to clinical use.


Virtual Tour of Stem Cell Translation Lab

This video (video length: 5:06) provides an overview of the SCTL lab and how NCATS is applying stem cells in translational science. Read Transcript.

Contact Us

If you are an NIH Investigator, you can submit your proposal to the Functional Genomics Lab. 

Connect with Carlos Tristan, Ph.D., to get started.

 


Our Team

The SCTL team is composed of talented researchers who bring their diverse expertise together to advance stem cell research.

Tao Deng, Ph.D.
Tao Deng, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Division of Preclinical Innovation

Vukasin Jovanovic, Ph.D.
Vukasin Jovanovic, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Division of Preclinical Innovation

Claire Malley, M.S.
Claire Malley, M.S.

Bioinformatician

Division of Preclinical Innovation

Seungmi Ryu, Ph.D.
Seungmi Ryu, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Division of Preclinical Innovation

Chemical Genomics Branch

Portrait of Carlos A. Tristan
Carlos A. Tristan, Ph.D., M.S.

Director

Division of Preclinical Innovation


Related Research

3-D Tissue Bioprinting

Our scientists are creating and using 3-D printing techniques to make tissue models that closely resemble the complex structure and organization of our cells.

Platform Vector Gene Therapy (PaVe-GT)

Our pilot project is testing the feasibility of increasing the efficiency of gene therapy clinical trials by using the same gene delivery system and manufacturing methods for multiple gene therapies.

Assay Development and Screening Technology (ADST)

Our scientists explore and develop new ways to quickly test and screen potential drug candidates, often in collaboration with disease foundations.

Last updated on March 8, 2024