Resources to Align Your Research with the ISSCR Standards
In 2023, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) released the , a document that outlines a set of recommendations that establish the minimum characterization and reporting criteria for working with human stem cells. The Standards provide a globally recognized framework for ensuring rigor, reproducibility, and transparency in tissue stem cell (TSC) and pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based studies.
Following these guidelines helps improve data reliability, strengthen credibility, and meet publication requirements. The Standards are divided into five tenets:
- Basic Characterization
- Pluripotency and the Undifferentiated State
- Genomic Characterization
- Stem Cell-Based Model Systems
- Reporting
Discover how şŁ˝ÇĆĆ˝â°ć can support you in understanding the Standards, find additional resources for each tenet, and discover which tools and technologies you can apply to your research to help you follow these guidelines.
Wallchart: Reporting Practices for Publishing Results with hPSCs
Request a free copy of this wallchart, previously published in Stem Cell Reports, to ensure that your research aligns with the ISSCR Standards.
On-Demand Course: Applying the ISSCR Standards for Research
Learn to confidently apply the ISSCR Standards for Human Stem Cell Use in Research to your projects with this free virtual course.
Foundational Resources for hPSC-Based Research
Get started with the following resources to familiarize yourself with hPSC-based research, education, and standards.
iPSC Research Models E-Book
Stem Cell Podcast: Interview with the Standards Committee
hPSC Training Courses
Adhering to the ISSCR Standards for Human Stem Cell Use in Research is becoming an important consideration for publishing papers. Explore the articles below to learn how to best set yourself up to achieve higher-quality results and more standardized practices.
Resources to Help You Apply the Standards to Your Research
1. Basic Characterization
Human stem cells must be accurately identified, authenticated, and free from contamination before use in experiments. This requires robust characterization workflows, including identity verification and contamination testing, to ensure consistent, reproducible starting materials.
Learn how to start your research on the right note with these curated resources centered around cell characterization.
For tools and technologies that can help you achieve basic characterization, see the bottom of this page.
2. Pluripotency and the Undifferentiated State
Cell quality starts with ensuring that your hPSCs are what you think they are, as differentiation capacity is critical for downstream applications. This requires assessing cell morphology, gene and marker expression, and functional pluripotency to confirm the ability to self-renew and differentiate into relevant lineages.
Learn best practices through expert webinars and technical resources designed to support pluripotency assessment and downstream success.
For tools and technologies that can help you assess pluripotency, see the bottom of this page.
3. Genomic Characterization
Genetic stability must be monitored, as stem cells can acquire changes during culture that impact experimental outcomes. Routine genomic assessment helps ensure cell integrity and supports reliable, reproducible research findings.
Gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms behind these cytogenetic changes and utilize more sensitive detection methods to improve the safety and efficacy of future therapies.
For tools and technologies that can help you characterize your cell’s genome, see the bottom of this page.
4. Stem Cell-Based Model Systems
Stem cell-derived models must be well-defined, reproducible, and suitable for their intended applications. Standardized protocols and validated systems are essential to generate consistent results across experiments and users.
Explore how to develop and validate stem cell-based models for consistent, reproducible results across research applications.
For tools and technologies that can help you utilize stem cell-based models systems, see the bottom of this page.
5. Reporting
Comprehensive documentation of cell sources, culture conditions, and experimental methods are required to support reproducibility. Standardized reporting practices are , and ensure that findings can be evaluated and built upon by the research community.
When it comes time to publish your research, make sure your reporting practices adhere to the recommendations captured within the Standards.
Free On-Demand hPSC Course
Learn how to assess human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) quality and characteristics.
Register Now >Tools and Technologies to Help You Meet the Standards*
*Neither the ISSCR nor the ISSCR Standards endorse any commercial products or services.
Healthy Control Human iPSC Line, Female, SCTi003-A
Start your research confidently with a reliable source of high-quality induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from the SCTi003-A cell line. Trust in extensive quality control that meets or exceeds industry standards at every step of the manufacturing process (ISCBI, 2009).
Human iPSC-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells
Start your neural workflow confidently with high-quality, ready-to-use human neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Ready to use directly from thawing, these human NPCs are multipotent and suitable for customized downstream differentiation to various CNS cell types.
STEMdiff™ Trilineage Differentiation Kit
The STEMdiff™ Trilineage Differentiation Kit provides a simple culture assay to functionally validate the ability of new or established human embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines to differentiate to the three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Trilineage Differentiation qPCR Array
This qPCR array determines the gene expression profile of undifferentiated ES and iPS cells and their trilineage derivatives following in vitro directed or spontaneous differentiation, thereby validating a cell line’s ability to differentiate to the three germ layers.
Human iPSC-Derived Forebrain Neuron Precursor Cells
Achieve better data faster by starting your neural workflow with an easy-to-use, high-quality, highly pure population of forebrain-type neuron precursor cells. Derived from the SCTi003-A control line, this mixed population of excitatory and inhibitory neurons provides a ready-to-use model for physiologically relevant results, with functionally active iPSC-derived mature neurons obtained just two weeks after thawing.
STEMdiff™ Midbrain Organoid Differentiation Kit
Robustly generate three-dimensional, guided neural organoid cultures from hPSCs without matrix embedding. Adapted from protocols by Dr. Sergiu PaĹźca, the brain-region-specific organoids generated with this kit provide an in vitro model with a cellular composition and structural organization representative of the developing human midbrain.
STEMdiff™ Hematopoietic Kit
Generate functional hematopoietic progenitor cells from human embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Using a simple and reproducible protocol in serum- and feeder-free conditions, you can produce hematopoietic progenitor cells expressing CD34, CD45, and CD43.
References
- ISSCR. (accessed 2024-05-27).
- ISSCR. (accessed 2024-05-27).
- ISSCR. (accessed 2024-05-27).
- ISSCR. (accessed 2024-05-27).
- ISSCR. (accessed 2024-05-27).
