Regenerative Biology Research Facilities | Icahn School of Medicine

DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES

Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

Understanding how organs develop and renew themselves in healthy individuals—and how these processes get derailed by disease and aging—holds radical potential for uncovering new avenues for regenerative therapies. To realize this potential, the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine carries out basic, translational, and clinical research to alter stem cell activity, create new drugs, and generate cells and tissues for therapeutic transplantation.

Interdisciplinary and innovative, our researchers are committed to identifying better ways to treat congenital diseases, repair diseased or damaged tissues, promote healthy aging, and fight cancer. Our ongoing collaboration with core facilities, maintained by the Dean’s Centers of Research Excellence (CoREs), helps make our shared mission of bringing life-changing benefits to patients possible.

Shared Research Facilities

The mission of the Stem Cell Engineering CoRE (or SCEC) is to support researchers across different departments to implement human models into their research programs. We are centrally located in the Icahn Building on the 13th floor; we also have a laboratory for cell production and gene editing in the Discovery and Innovation Center in Midtown West. The SCEC provides human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) lines, as well as laboratory space, validated reagents, and hands-on training for scientists.

Our services include induced PSC (iPSC) generation from somatic cells, such as blood and fibroblasts, extensive characterization, and long-term banking. We also provide access to well-characterized iPSC lines derived from both healthy individuals and patients with diverse diseases, spanning different ethnic backgrounds and sexes.

A major focus of the SCEC is gene editing in PSCs, and we offer a wide range of CRISPR-based services, from point mutation knock-in (correction or introduction) to the generation of reporter PSC lines (e.g., Green Fluorescent Protein or other reporters), as well as inducible systems such as Cre-lox, dTAG, and more. Additionally, the Core provides assistance with differentiation protocols of PSCs into various cell types, both in monolayer cultures and in 3D organoid systems.

The Transgenic and Genome Editing CoRE provides mouse model creation and related services for Mount Sinai Health System investigators and external customers. We offer full model creation services, from consultation until delivery of germline-confirmed genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs).

The CoRE employs the latest genome editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9 and the assisted reproductive technology, to rapidly generate GEMMs with diverse genome modifications. Additionally, we continue to support model creation via the traditional transgenesis and the gene targeting in the embryonic stem cells.

The Flow Cytometry CoRE facility delivers access to state-of-the-art flow cytometry and cell sorting instrumentation to the Mount Sinai research community. The core supports experimental design, data acquisition, analysis, and training for a wide range of cytometric applications.

The Microscopy CoRE facility provides access to state-of-the-art optical and electron microscopy systems. We support high-resolution imaging, sample preparation, image analysis, and expert consultation to enable cellular, subcellular, and structural studies across basic and translational research.

The Bioinformatics for Next Generation Sequencing (BiNGS) Shared Resource provides high-end data analysis and training at reduced cost for affiliated members to support planning, analysis, integration, and interpretation of NGS data. They advise on NGS experimental design and protocols; conduct a broad range of standard and customized bioinformatics analyses for multiple applications spanning epigenomics and transcriptomics; and provide extensive training platforms. BiNGS is supported by the Tisch Cancer Center, the Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center, and the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.

AT A GLANCE