USC Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (SCRO)
The SCRO reviews, approves, and provides oversight over all issues related to the derivation and use of human pluripotent stem cells as defined by federal and state law. Research under the SCRO’s jurisdiction may not commence until approved by the SCRO.
SCRO review is not required for non-human cells, and is not required if cells are not pluripotent.
SCRO’s review is limited to review and approval for appropriate use of stem cells in the following circumstances:
- Procurement or use of human oocytes
- Use of human embryos
- Derivation of a covered stem cell line
- In vitro research using existing covered stem cell lines
- Introduction of covered stem cells into animals or neural progenitor cells into the brains of animals at any state of embryonic, fetal or post-natal development
- Introduction of covered stem cells into a live human
The SCRO also is empowered to monitor, audit, suspend and/or terminate research covered in this section.
Review by SCRO does not substitute for reviews that may be required by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
Process for Submitting Proposals
Investigators with new proposals must complete the SCRO’s New Proposal Application and include a copy of the proposal submitted to the proposed funding agency. The SCRO may request additional information from the investigator(s) as deemed necessary to review the proposal in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Investigators must submit a Continuing Review Application at least annually or more frequently, as determined by the SCRO. The SCRO may request additional information from the investigator(s) as deemed necessary to review the proposal in accordance with regulatory requirements.
SCRO applications should be submitted electronically to the committee chair, David Hinton, SCRO Chair dhinton@usc.edu.
Below are some forms:
Review Process
The following types of applications are reviewed by the full SCRO, which meets approximately once per month:
- Research involving procurement or use of human oocytes
- Research involving use of human embryos or gametes
- Research involving the derivation or creation of a covered stem cell line
- Introduction of stem cell lines into animals
- In vitro research involving existing stem cell lines
Annual continuing reviews for studies that have no or minor changes from the original application (as determined by the SCRO chair or designated approver) may be reviewed and approved administratively by the committee chair.
A decision is normally made within 30 days of application.
For More Information, Contact:
Vicky Fox, Core Director, victoria.fox@keck.usc.edu
David Hinton, SCRO Chair, dhinton@usc.edu
Resources
- CIRM Regulations
- Department of Public Health Stem Cell Research Program
- NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry
- NIH Stem Cell Information
- UK Stem Cell Bank
Definitions
“Covered stem cells”: Defines the SCRO’s jurisdiction. A “covered stem cell line” means a culture-derived, human pluripotent stem cell population that is capable of: (1) sustained propagation in culture; and (2) self-renewal to produce daughter cells with equivalent developmental potential. This definition includes both embryonic and non-embryonic human stem cell lines, regardless of the tissue of origin.
“Pluripotent”: Means capable of differentiation into mesoderm, ectoderm and endoderm.
“Human embryonic stem cells”: Defined as pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of pre-implantation blastocysts. They are defined by their ability to proliferate for prolonged periods in vitro as an undifferentiated population and to differentiate into adult cell types representing all three embryonic germ layers.
“Human embryonic germ cells”: Defined as pluripotent stem cells derived from primordial germ cells isolated from the gonadal ridges of five to ten week old human embryos. They are capable of sustained self renewal in vitro and differentiation into adult cell types representing all three embryonic germ layers.
“Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)”: Defined as a type of pluripotent stem cell generated from somatic cells by enforcing the expression of reprogramming genes. They are capable of prolonged self renewal in vitro and differentiate to make cell types corresponding to all three embryonic germ layers.