SCN and STEMCELL Technologies Workshop – Pluripotent Stem Cell Maintenance & Cell Quality
The Stem Cell Network is supporting a limited number of registrations for trainees to attend the “Pluripotent Stem Cell Maintenance & Cell Quality” live virtual training course hosted by STEMCELL Technologies. Trainees will learn how to effectively maintain and characterize high-quality human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) through live-streamed training delivered by experts from STEMCELL Technologies. This three-day, part-time course consists of interactive lectures and laboratory demonstrations designed to teach essential techniques for culturing hPSCs in a feeder-independent system and how to assess hPSC lines for building a well-characterized working cell bank.
Application Deadline: September 11, 2023
Start Date: December 5, 2023
Location: Online
Who should attend?
Applicants must be a trainee highly qualified personnel (HQP) (i.e., a graduate student, post-doc, research associate and/or technician) currently working on a research project in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine in a Canadian lab. See “eligibility” below for additional ranking criteria.
Workshop learning objectives
- Identify high-quality morphological characteristics of hPSCs and describe critical quality attributes of hPSCs.
- Understand and apply the best practical skills in maintaining high-quality hPSC cultures.
- Identify undifferentiated morphology of confluent induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) ready for passaging.
- Recognize critical aspects of handling hPSCs for successful preservation and storage.
- Identify and troubleshoot critical aspects in the passaging and maintenance of undifferentiated iPSCs.
- Evaluate the recovery of iPSCs and identify viable cells.
- Understand the importance of maintaining hPSC quality.
- Recognize the importance of key quality control procedures and the potential consequences of failing to carry them out.
- Be aware of how genomic instability can impact hPSC cultures.
As part of the course, chosen participants will receive:
- An electronic copy of the course book
- Certificates of course completion from STEMCELL Technologies and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Post-training support from the trainers and STEMCELL’s Scientific Support team
How to apply
- Complete the application form here by 11:59 PM (sender’s time), September 11, 2023.
- Applicants will be informed of the competition outcome by late September.
- Notification of acceptance for successful applicants will include details on how to complete their registration with STEMCELL Technologies and join the the online workshop sessions.
- Provide your CV and a full letter of support from your current supervisor detailing how your attendance will benefit your research and the lab’s stem cell research program as a whole. Letters and CV should be e-mailed by supervisors directly to Ellie Arnold, trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca at the same time you submit your application documents. A confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours of SCN receiving the submitted support letter. If a confirmation email is NOT received from SCN within 24 hours of submission, it is the responsibility of the applicant to contact SCN and ensure that all application materials have been received by SCN.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a trainee highly qualified personnel (HQP) (i.e., a graduate student, post-doc, research associate and/or technician currently working on a research project in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine in a Canadian lab.)
- If you’re unsure whether you are a trainee/HQP, please email Ellie Arnold at trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca for confirmation.
- Applications will be evaluated by SCN management and/or SCN’s Training and Education Committee. The following considerations will be used to evaluate applications:
- Applicants who have prior experience with mammalian cell culture and are working on a project that requires the use of hPSCs will be prioritized.
- Applicants who are currently working with hPSCs will be prioritized. If not currently working with hPSCs, applicants who have plans to start doing so within the next 1-3 months will be ranked more highly than those who have longer timelines.
- The described need for the training to support or accelerate a regenerative medicine project, and why this training cannot be acquired locally.
- Regional distribution of applicants may also be considered to maximize the geographic distribution access to this training across Canada.
- The quality of the knowledge dissemination plan in the application.
- The overall quality of the written responses in the application.
- The strength of the supervisor’s support letter.
For further information, please contact Ellie Arnold at trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca.