Stem Cell Engineering CoRE

The mission of the Stem Cell Engineering CoRE is to support researchers in their work to describe how pluripotent and adult stem cells function, harness stem cells to repair tissues, model human diseases, and bring new therapies to patients. As a critical component of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the CoRE is centrally located in the Black Family Stem Cell Institute, making it convenient for researchers to follow their stem cell experiments or pick up reagents while staying within reach of their own laboratories.

The Stem Cell Engineering CoRE provides well-characterized human embryonic stem cell lines and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, as well as the physical space, validated reagents, and hands-on training for scientists to use these pluripotent cells in meeting their investigative goals.

Our CoRE staff has extensive experience carrying out iPSC derivation from patient tissue samples, iPSC differentiation into specific cell types, and gene editing to create or repair putative disease mutations with the latest technologies. We have a dedicated Bsl2+ space for working with viral vectors and offer training in iPSC culture techniques and differentiation.

For those seeking to approach or expand their stem cell research potential, the CoRE is committed to supporting these goals with hands-on courses and educational seminars.

Stem Cell CoRE Overview

Technical Training Courses

The Stem Cell CoRE offers a five-day basic training for users new to stem cells to learn iPSC key culture techniques. We also provide advanced training in iPSC differentiation into neuronal, hematopoietic, and cardiac lineage.

Seminar Series

The Stem Cell CoRE organizes lectures on technical approaches and recent advances in the stem cell field. Follow the CoRE’s mailing list to receive the latest updates.

Acknowledging Core Support

When submitting manuscripts that include services or resources from the Stem Cell Engineering CoRE, please acknowledge our contribution by including the following information: “This work was supported by the Stem Cell Engineering CoRE Facility of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.”

Equipment

The Stem Cell Engineering CoRE provides tissue culture equipment that can be used to accommodate short- to medium-term projects carried out in collaboration with the CoRE. After training, users can access a fully equipped biosafety cabinet and tissue culture incubator. The CoRE also maintains specific equipment available for reservation in our iLab page.

Maestro MEA

Measuring the extracellular field potential (EFP) of iPSC-derived neurons or cardiomyocytes, the Maestro MEA can be used to detect drug-induced effects on the electrophysiology of the cells. EFPs can be obtained noninvasively using microelectrode array (MEA) technology without the need for dyes. The multi-well Maestro MEA system of Axion Biosystems enables EFP recordings in various multi-well plates.

Digital PCR

The QuantStudio 3D Digital PCR System is based on a silicon chip that is partitioned into 20,000 individual reaction wells, used for nucleic acid detection and absolute quantification. Applications include rare allele detection in heterogeneous cell populations; liquid biopsies of solid tumor burden using peripheral body fluids; viral load detection; gene expression; copy number variation in heterogeneous samples; assays with limited sample material, such as single-cell gene expression; DNA quality control tests before sequencing; and validation of low-frequency mutations identified by sequencing.

Inverted Fluorescence Microscope

The Leica DMI4000 Inverted Microscope is equipped with long working distance objectives (5X, 10X, 20X and 40X), ideal for imaging cells on glass coverslips or on plastic dishes for live imaging. The system features fluorescence filters for GFP, DAPI, Cy3 (red) and Cy5 (far-red) detection.