The aim of the European Bank of induced pluripotent Stem Cells (EBiSC) is to make human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) easily accessible to researchers who are studying diseases and developing new treatments. In addition to iPSC lines, EBiSC also offers a supply of pre-differentiated cells such as EBiSC-NEUR1.
EBiSC cells have clear terms of use as outlined in the EBiSC Access and Use Agreement (EAUA), such that a single EAUA may be used to access cells from different distributors.
Following the completion of two project phases between 2014 and 2023 (see History of EBiSC), long-term banking and distribution operations have been assumed jointly by Fraunhofer UK and Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT).
Fraunhofer UK is the responsible legal entity for EBiSC and your main contact point for any discussion regarding accessing EBiSC cells and services, as well as collaborations.
EBiSC’s distribution stock is held at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT) in Sulzbach, Germany. The facility is a fully automated, state of the art cryobanking system with a self-contained low-temperature cool chain to ensure the security and consistency of EBiSC cell lines. Fraunhofer IBMT also oversees EBiSC banking quality control in accredited laboratories.
The EBiSC Catalogue is a collection of human iPS cells available to academic and commercial researchers for use in disease modelling and other forms of preclinical research.
Cell lines in the EBiSC catalogue have been made and deposited by EBiSC partner labs and a number of external research organisations including non-profit and commercial organisations. Cell lines include iPSCs derived from individuals with diagnosed diseases and apparently healthy controls, and genetically modified isogenic sub-clones. EBiSC iPSCs are derived from both biologically male and female donors, spanning ages 0-89 years and covering more than 45 different diseases including neurodegenerative, neurological, cardiac, liver, eye, blood, kidney and skeletomuscular disorders. EBiSC continues to welcome new iPSC line cohorts representing novel diseases, genotypes or tools for use by the iPSC research community.
The EBiSC catalogue is closely linked with the human Pluripotent Stem Cell registry (hPSCreg) and EBiSC strives to share as much cell line data as possible, whilst adhering to GDPR and protecting the rights of sample donors. Non-identifiable data is shared as open access via the EBiSC catalogue and ‘personal data’ as defined by GDPR is shared as managed access via the EBiSC Data Access Committee.
If you cannot find the lines you need, need support with ordering or would like to discuss how you can share lines to be included in the EBiSC catalogue, get in touch.
EBiSC has amassed a network of expertise during its formative years in two project phases funded by Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking (IMI-JU) and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).
Read more about the complete portfolio of EBiSC services here.
