Stem cell research programs at UW-Madison work to explore the therapeutic potential of stem cells to improve human and animal health. According to the UW – Madison Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center (SCRMC), research focused on stem cells and regenerative medicine spans the breadth of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. Studies range from exploring basic stem cell biology and defining key molecular properties to employing new technologies in tissue engineering. Pioneering clinical trials are spurring not only new cellular therapies but also investigations into ethical issues and the public policy challenges these new discoveries bring. The resources we provide below can support faculty and staff to conduct successful and ethical stem cell research. The information and links are organized into the different groupings for trainings; policies, procedures and compliance; campus resources. At the bottom of the page we have included resources related to stem cell research that might be useful. This is not an exhaustive list of information that may be required to conduct stem cell research. More information is available on the Research Compliance page for Stem Cells.
Training
All personnel listed on a protocol submitted to the Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO) Committee must complete online stem cell ethics and policy training. All SCRO investigators must have Biosafety approval which requires Biosafety training and there may be additional requirements. SCRO researchers working with human subjects and/or animals have additional requirements. Please review our Animal Research and Human Subjects Research pages for more information. Please review this list of compliance, protocol, and safety related training requirements. We have tried to include the most important links and information below but this is not an exhaustive list.
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Effort Certification Training
Effort certification is a federal requirement to ensure sponsors are reasonably charged for projects and the commitments of their project will be met. Refer to Effort Reporting and Certification and the SMPH Effort Policy for more information.
(See pages 33-36 for SMPH module not included in RSP office original publication)
Stem Cell Research Oversight: Training
Stem Cell Research Oversight: Training
Stem Cell Ethics and Policy training is required for principal investigators, co-investigators, points of contact, key personnel, and other study team members listed on a SCRO protocol. Training is available through Canvas with a Net ID and expires every three years.
Safety Training
Chemical Safety: Please refer to the EH&S Office of Chemical Safety if your research will involve chemicals. This UW-Madison Laboratory Safety Manual and this chemical safety resource guide may also be useful.
Radiation Safety: Please refer to the EH&S Office of Radiation Safety if your research will involve radiation or lasers. You may need to complete the Radionuclides in Vertebrate Animals form, or the Handling and Storing Radioactive Materials form. This UW-Madison Radiation Safety Manual may also be useful.
Biological Safety: Please refer to the EH&S Office of Biological Safety if your research includes the use of biological materials. This guide may be useful in determining if you need to declare a Biosafety Protocol. Also review this information about select agents, and dual use research of concern (DURC) to ensure compliance.
Building Safety: See General & Building Safety Training for onsite courses in general health and safety topics. Role, function, and workplace-specific content is also available through division and academic unit courses.
Please complete this fire safety training if your research has the potential risk of fires.
Policies, Procedures, and Compliance
At a large research institution such as UW-Madison many layers of required rules, regulations, procedures and policies are applied to protect our researchers and human subjects; ensure we are compliant with the rules our funding sources; and conduct the highest quality research. Below is a collection of links campus committees and systems faculty and staff may need to access to conduct Stem Cell research at UW-Madison.
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ARROW
Application for the Review of Research Oversight at Wisconsin (ARROW) is an online system used at the UW–Madison to review and track applications for institutional research oversight. You will need your NetID to login to ARROW. Researchers wishing to submit a protocol application to the SCRO Committee for review must login to ARROW to create and submit an initial review application. Change of protocols and continuing reviews are also submitted through ARROW.
For help accessing, navigating, or applying to ARROW use Health Sciences IRBs ARROW or ED Sci ARROW.
National Academies: Stem Cells
the National Academies: Stem Cells
Explore this National Academies website which provides information on stem cell basics, the National Academies’ Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, current activities, and related reports.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Stem Cell Research Policy
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Stem Cell Research Policy
Provides NIH policy and guidance for conducting stem cell research.
SMPH Policies, Guidelines and Procedures
SMPH Policies, Guidelines and Procedures
This link provides a collection of policies, guidelines and procedures that are both school-specific and campus or UW system-wide.
Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (SCRO)
Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee
The Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO) Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of UW-Madison Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research policies and procedures, as well as the review of the SCRO Committee Initial Application Form that must be submitted to be enrolled in the UW-Madison hESC Registry and to ensure approval of covered research activities.
Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO): Policies and Guidance
Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO): Policies and Guidance
This link provides policy and guidance for conducting stem cell research at UW-Madison.
UW-Madison Stem Cell Policies, Guidance and Resources
UW-Madison Stem Cell Policies, Guidance and Resources
This link provides a substantial list of policies, guidance and resources at UW-Madison and other national resources that could be necessary or useful for conducting stem cell research.
UW-Madison hESC Registry
All hES cell lines listed on the current NIH hESC Registry are eligible for use on the UW-Madison campus. To view the listing of lines approved by the NIH for use in federally funded research please visit the NIH hESC Registry. Non-approved hES Cell Lines must have their provenance documented and approved by the SCRO committee before first becoming eligible for use. This link explains more of the process and the UW-Madison hESC Registry.
Resources
Below is a selection of the numerous resources available to assist faculty and staff conduct Stem Cell Research.
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Fundamentals of Protocol Writing (video)
Fundamentals of Protocol Writing Workshop
This workshop provided a review of the core components of a clinical trial protocol, strategies to engage biostatistical collaboration in creating protocols, and an opportunity to learn about processes in protocol writing in industry. Please also see the slides and virtual handbook.
Presenter(s): Dr. Nasia Safdar & Dr. Bernadette Gillick, ICTR
Materials:
Grant Writing Webinar Series (link)
The WiSys Grant Writing Webinar Series encourages UW System grantseekers to cultivate grant writing skills, connect with WiSys grant writing experts and create new funding opportunities for their work
ICTR Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research Resources (link)
ICTR Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research Resources
The Intro to Qualitative Research for the Applied Health Sciences: A Self-Study Course is a no cost course developed by qualitative research expert, Nora Jacobson. Great for the busy clinician, as it’s self-paced and can do every module or view single modules.
Introduction to Statistics for Everyday Use in Research (video)
Introduction to Statistics for Everyday Use in Research
This course provides general information on “statistics” for everyday use either in the planning of a study or for a manuscript, such as common statistical tests, analysis software, and statistical plans. Topics also include non-statistical factors such as study design, feasibility of recruitment, and sample sizes.
NIH Online Course: Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR) (link)
NIH Online Course: Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR)
This course will be of interest to physicians, scientists, medical and dental students, nurses, public health professionals, and others conducting or planning a career in clinical research. Free, online. Includes info on health disparities research, D&I research, community-based participatory research, etc. if you do not wish to enroll in the course, you can still view the individual course lectures. This is a good option for individuals who want to focus on part but not all of the course material.
Materials:
UW – Madison Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center (SCRMC)
UW – Madison Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center (SCRMC)
A multitude of information and resources are available at the SCRMC website.
WiCell Deposit Process
WiCell’s primary mission is to serve the investigators of the University of Wisconsin. In addition to providing Core reagents and services, WiCell can distribute cell lines derived by UW investigators to the global stem cell community. Information at this link explains the four steps for depositing cell lines with WiCell and other contact information.