Stem Cell Research

FSU is committed to the ethical and responsible conduct of research involving federally-approved human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). FSU’s Policy for the Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) (Policy 7A-30) is applicable to all non-human subjects research, as determined by the Human Subjects Research Committee (HSRC), involving hESCs conducted at FSU by its employees and/or involving use of its facilities. The Vice President for Research has determined that the restrictions imposed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on research funded by NIH grants are sufficient for those researchers funded for hESC research by the NIH. Any cases of non-NIH funded hESC research may require additional review based on funding agency requirements.

All research involving hESCs that constitutes human subjects research, as defined under applicable HSRC policies and procedures, shall be reviewed by the HSRC and shall not fall within the jurisdiction of the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee (HESRAC) established by the Policy. The HESRAC functions as the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight (ESCRO) Committee for FSU, and reports to the Vice President for Research.

Policy

Policy 7A-30 - Policy for the Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Application Procedures

APPLICATION FORM

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Application for Derivation and/or Use of hESCs

Material Transfer Agreements

A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is required for both incoming and outgoing materials. A MTA typically is required when human embryonic stem cells (hESC) are received or shared between FSU researchers and other academic or industry partners. Contact Mary Sechrist, Director of Research Compliance Programs (m.sechrist@fsu.edu) to begin the MTA process. Stem cells may not be obtained until after the appropriate agreements are in place.

HESRAC Committee Members

Richard Nowakowski, Committee Chair
Randolph L. Rill Professor and Department Chair
Department of Biomedical Sciences
rsnowakowski@fsu.edu 
(850) 644-9219

Hengli Tang
Professor
Department of Biological Science

Jonathan Dennis
Associate Professor
Department of Biological Science

Educational Resources

• NIH-Supported Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Projects
• NWABR Stem Cell Curriculum: This 6-lesson unit explores the scientific and ethical issues involved in stem cell research. It features hands-on, engaging classroom activities that have been showcased in the journal American Biology Teacher.
• Regenerative Medicine Partnership in Education: Duquesne University's SEPA project offers planetarium shows, movies, and educational Web tools.
• Stem Cells: Cells with Potential, part of the San Francisco Exploratorium's Microscope Imaging Station.
• Stem Cells in the Spotlight and Cloning In Focus: The Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah presents these outreach education programs for high school and undergraduate students and teachers.
• Tissues of Life: Stem Cells, an interactive comic explaining where stem cells are found in the body and how they are gathered.
• StemBook: A collection of invited, original, peer-reviewed chapters on stem cell biology written by top researchers in the field at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and worldwide. StemBook is aimed at stem cell and non-specialist researchers.

Additional Resources

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stem Cell homepage.
  
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry.
• Executive Order 13505—Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells, Memorandum of March 9, 2009.
• National Academies Press, Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (2005)
• International Society for Stem Cell Research.