IMBA Stem Cell Core Facility
Stem cell research holds enormous promise for the understanding of basic biological processes and the treatment of diseases. Committing to it in a concerted effort is a powerful way to propel the fields of science and medicine forward.
Our Facility at a glance
The IMBA Stem Cell Core Facility (ISCCF) supports research groups in Austria and abroad that use stem cells in a variety of contexts, from brain and heart development to disease modeling and organoid research. We collaborate with academics and clinicians to provide expert service in cutting edge technologies, and disseminate knowledge by training the next generation of stem cell researchers.
Our Services
Important information about ISCCF services:
- We provide service for a fee. Before requesting a service please review our service costs.
- Please get approval from your group leader (unless you are the GL) before submitting a request.
- Please read our terms & conditions before submitting a service request. This is to ensure the user knows what to expect.
- You can request a service through JIRA: https://jira.imp.ac.at/servicedesk/customer/portal/4. Your request will be automatically forwarded to the ISCCF team. By requesting any service you agree to our terms and conditions.
Laboratory Information Management System-LIMS
We integrate and track automatically all of our samples and workflows through our LIMS system. This type of integrated lab management allows us to work efficiently and be transparent about the lab work status. Users who request our services can benefit from receiving information and updates with regards to their samples or specific project status. LIMS finally allows us the flexibility to accommodate new requirements.
Human iPS Reprogramming Service
We offer non-integrating reprogramming technologies such as the Sendai Virus System to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).
We reprogram cells under feeder-dependent conditions.
NOTE: The facility must comply with existing ethics laws therefore all patient material for iPS derivation must receive ethics approval.
For information on ethics approval process please contact: Ethics & Biosafety
To request the Human iPS Reprogramming Service:
- Seek ethics approval for donor samples (for questions please contact Ethics & Biosafety)
- Raise a request at https://jira.imp.ac.at/servicedesk/customer/portal/4; click on Human IPS Reprogramming
IPSC Biobank
The IMBA stem cell bank, iPSC Biobank, is a collection of induced pluripotent stem cell lines (iPSC lines) produced from skin and blood cells. The iPSC Biobank is integrated into the IMBA Stem Cell Core Facility. It stores and provides patient-specific iPSC lines from patients suspected to having monogenic or polygenic illnesses, as well as clinically normal test subjects as a resource for the scientific research of both common and rare diseases. The resource is available to all scientists and commercial institutions. The ethical guidelines of the iPSC Biobank are always based on prevailing laws and internal regulations. For information on ethics approval process please contact: Ethics & Biosafety
We are currently building an e-commerce platform (Webshop) for the purchasing of IPSC lines. Please see info below (pdf files) for procedures and requirements regarding the generation and access of IPSC lines. For current requests please contact Jennifer Volz & Sofia Aligianni.
Genome Targeting Service
Genome editing is a powerful technology that allows scientists to change DNA in a variety of organisms from bacteria to animals. When applied to stem cells, this type of molecular scissors allows us to unravel with more precision the mechanisms of complex pathways in the context of development and disease.
The ISCCF service in genome editing in both Human and Mouse stem cells.
- Knock-outs
- Deletions
- Point mutations/Repair
- Gene tagging/Reporters
- AAVS1 locus targeting (human)
- ROSA26 locus targeting (mouse)
Investigators have the flexibility to request the full service, from experimental design and strategy all the way to final delivery of genotyped and quality controlled clones. Alternatively, scientists can provide us with their own stem cell line, cloned and tested gRNAs and donors if they have specific project demands and know-how. Service fee will change based on these conditions.
To request Genome Targeting service in human and/or mouse stem cells:
- Raise a request at: https://jira.imp.ac.at/servicedesk/customer/portal/4; click on Gene Targeting.
- For this service please attach information in the ‘drag and drop files’ section when considering:
a) To provide us with your own stem cell line, please attach a detailed step-by-step protocol for handling the cell line.
b) To provide us with gRNA sequences, genomic locus ID and if gRNA cloned in a vector, an annotated map is necessary
c) To provide us with a donor for targeting, please attach full sequence and annotation information
Useful Links:
Genome editing guides: https://www.addgene.org/crispr/ & https://zlab.bio/guide-design-resources/
gRNA design: https://www.sanger.ac.uk/htgt/wge/
Quality Control Service
Prolonged culture conditions and genetic manipulation of cells are processes that may expose cells to selection pressures and subsequently compromise cell fitness and stem cell properties. We recommend for researchers to test the quality of their lines routinely during their work.
You can request from us-For IMBA groups only (does not apply to external costumers)
- SNP array genotyping
- 3-lineage differentiation
- Cell line submission & banking
- Home-made stem cell media (10x stocks of E8)
- Preparation of mouse ES cells for blastocyst injection
To request a service in Quality Control in human and/or mouse stem cells:
- Read the Quality Standards page to get more informed
- Raise a request at: https://jira.imp.ac.at/servicedesk/customer/portal/4
Haplobank
In the post-genomic era, science is accumulating large datasets from high-throughput screening. Validation of hits from such screens still requires genetic testing. To this end, we created Haplobank, a genome-wide library of murine ESC lines with defined genetic mutations. Haplobank contains over 100,000 conditionally mutated and reversible mESC clones, targeting about 70% of the protein-coding genome (almost 17,000 genes). The resource is available to all scientists, and represents the largest ever library of homozyogous mutant embryonic stem cell lines to date. Haplobank overcomes issues arising from clonal variability, because mutations can be repaired in single cells and at whole genome scale. In addition, the haploid genome of these embryonic stem cells enables reverse genetics. Haplobank can be used to functionally validate predictions or to study in-depth phenotypic effects of gene loss, thereby helping to phenotypically annotate the mouse genome.
For more information about the Haplobank and ordering of cell lines visit the website (https://www.haplobank.at)
Costs €
ISCCF Service Fees* include: Genome Targeting consumables
For more information on ISCCF fees contact: Jennifer Volz and Sofia Aligianni
Important Info:
- For internal requests: Because of overcapacity and increasing cost, ISCCF does not incorporate in it's pipeline GENOTYPING on the single clone stage. Instead, the researcher will be provided with batch-validated genotyping PCR conditions to screen single clones in their own lab. Once researchers have identified the clones of interest, the facility resumes service in expansion and final validation and quality control (QC) of those clones.
Human Reprogramming Service (Blood or Skin) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Internal | Academic (AT) | Ext. Academic | |
Commercial E8 Media | 2.750 | 3.800 | 4.700 |
House-made E8 Media | 1.550 | 2.600 | 3.500 |
IPSC Biobank Cell Lines | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Internal | Academic (AT) | Ext. Academic | Commercial | |
per vial | 210 | 280 | 350 | 870 |
Human Genome Editing Services | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Internal KO | Internal KI | Academic (AT) KO | Academic (AT) KI | Ext. Academic KO | Ext. Academic KI | |
Commercial E8 Media | 723 | 1.190 | 1.300 | 2.000 | 1.900 | 2.700 |
House-made E8 Media | 468 | 734 | 1.000 | 1.500 | 1.600 | 2.300 |
Mouse Genome Editing Services (KO or KI) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Internal KO | Academic (AT) | Ex. Academic KO | |
ESCM Media | 130 | 460 | 710 |
SI Media | 180 | 510 | 750 |
ES/2i Media | 240 | 570 | 810 |
Quality Control (Internal) | |
---|---|
SNP array sample | 56,50 |
3-lineage Differentiation of hES/IPS lines | 50 |
Cell line expansion /Banking | fee subject to quantity |
Home-made E8 Media (500ml) | 27 |
*All prices are in Euros (€)
Training & Outreach
We offer hands-on training to researchers interested to learn stem cell handling. We organize courses and workshops and we engage with educators and students.
We are planning our next HANDS-ON HUMAN STEM CELL WORKSHOP
in March 2021 prior to the Sy-Stem Symposium. To stay updated, please make sure to check following link:
www.imba.oeaw.ac.at/seminars-events/symposia-conferences/sy-stem/
Contact & Resources


Team

Jennifer Volz, Elisabeth Stein, Miroslava Peterkova, Miroslava Spanova, Madalina Mirea, Michelle Foong-Sobis, Manuela Kinzer, Sofia Aligianni, Nicole Leeb, Nina Van de Loo, Cindy Horenburg
Terms & Conditions
We use well-established protocols which we adapt to our service pipelines. However, a lot of projects can be challenging due to technical and/or biological reasons we cannot control, and that may cause the service to be paused or stopped entirely. Our goal is to make this process transparent and help you prepare before requesting one of our services. Here you will find information on the ISCCF conditions, as well as considerations for your project planning.
We kindly ask users to read and agree to the ISCCF Service Terms & Conditions before requesting our services.
DOWNLOAD FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS