|
1. What is the process for requesting induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells through the WiCell Research Institute? To order iPS cells, please read the Distribution Statement and then contact the Contract Administrator at 608-263-6297 or at info@wicell.org. At this time we are unable to accept orders for the iPS cells on our Web site. To obtain cells, you will need to submit the completed Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) form and a transfer fee of $900 per vial per cell line to the Contract Administrator. 2. What agreement do I need to complete for my iPS cell request?
For each iPS cell line request, a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) must be completed and signed. The agreement is final and the terms are non-negotiable. The form may be downloaded or obtained from the Contract Administrator.
Before WiCell will ship cells to an investigator, we need a fully executed MTA signed by both the responsible party from the institution and the Principal Investigator. The payment and shipping information is also required prior to shipment as detailed in the Distribution Statement. The completed form should be mailed to:
Contract Manager
WiCell Research Institute
P.O. Box 7365
Madison, WI 53707-7365
USA For Overnight Delivery:
Contract Manager
WiCell Research Institute
614 Walnut St
13th Floor
Madison, WI 53726
USA
3. Which iPS cell lines are available?
Please visit the iPS cells page for more details. 4. Which cell lines should I order?
Based on the novelty of these cell lines, WiCell is unable to recommend particular iPS cell lines at this time. Be aware that the iPS clones derived from IMR90 and Foreskin cell lines grow differently, however, the same culture techniques are used. Please see our iPS cell protocol section for more information. These lines are significantly more challenging to grow than most human ES cell lines, and we recommend that only researchers with substantial human ES cell culture experience attempt their propagation. 5. How much do the iPS cells cost?
WiCell is providing these cells at a cost recovery rate of $900 per vial per cell line. In addition, recipients are responsible for all shipping fees. Please refer to the Distribution Statement for more information.
6. What payment types are accepted? Please arrange for payment with the Contract Administrator.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept purchase orders at this time.
We can accept the following: - Check or money order issued to the WiCell Research Institute
Checks may be mailed to:
Contract Manager
WiCell Research Institute
P.O. Box 7365
Madison, WI 53707-7365
USA For Overnight Delivery:
Contract Manager
WiCell Research Institute
614 Walnut St
13th Floor
Madison, WI 53726
USA Wire transfer payment information
- Credit card (MasterCard or Visa).
Credit card information may be called in to 608-263-6297.
7. How do I pay the shipping fees?
Upon the execution of your agreement, the WiCell Shipping Coordinator will contact the Recipient and request their shipping account numbers. - For shipments inside the United States: The cell line shipment and vapor shipper return will be arranged with FedEx. The Recipient will need to provide the WiCell Shipping Coordinator their FedEx account number. WiCell will ship the cells to the Recipient using FedEx 2Day service, and the Recipient will return the vapor shipper using FedEx Ground service. FedEx charges may be estimated using www.fedex.com from zip code 53719 to your location. The weight of the container is 26 lbs and dimensions are 15x15x22”. Only the exact FedEx cost will be charged to your FedEx account.
- For shipments to all countries outside of the United States: The cell shipment will be arranged with World Courier, and the vapor shipper return shipment will be arranged with FedEx. The Recipient will need to have accounts with both companies. The Recipient will need to provide the WiCell Shipping Coordinator your World Courier and FedEx account numbers. The Recipient's accounts will be charged directly. World Courier will also help to arrange all import/export permits for the Recipient. For shipment estimates, please contact the WiCell Shipping Coordinator.
8. How will the iPS cells be delivered?
The cells will be shipped frozen in a vapor shipper. The vapor shipper contains one vial of cells, which is sufficient to expand the cell line. iPS cells will be shipped within 10 working days of executing all necessary documents, receiving payment, and researcher confirmation of shipping information. Upon receipt of the cells, the Recipient will need to return the vapor shipper to WiCell within 10 working days using the pre-addressed shipping return label. If the vapor shipper is not returned, the Recipient will be invoiced for the full purchase value of the vapor shipper. 9. How do I maintain and culture the iPS cells? What sort of technical support does WiCell provide?
You can obtain protocols through the website. You may also contact us for technical support at ipstechsupport@wicell.org. 10. Does WiCell offer a training class on culturing iPS cells? At this time, there is no class specifically offered for iPS cell culture. iPS cell culture is nearly identical to standard hES cell culture, however more care is required to maintain the culture in an undifferentiated state. Appropriate culture requires that 100ng/ml of bFGF be included in the medium, regardless of the culture system used (MEF based or feeder-free). The protocols on this website are for a feeder-free culture method which may be used for both human ES cells and iPS cells. There are several classes teaching basic human ES cell culture and we recommend that iPS cell lines only be requested by researchers with significant human ES cell culture experience.
11. What is the original material used to derive these lines?
The iPS cell lines derived by the Laboratory of Dr. James Thomson came from Foreskin and IMR90 cell lines. For additional information, see the article: Yu J, Vodyanik MA, Smuga-Otto K, Antosiewicz-Bourget J, Frane JL, Tian S, Nie J, Jonsdottir GA, Ruotti V, Stewart R, Slukvin II, Thomson JA “Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Somatic Cells” Science, 318, 1917-1920 (2007). 12. Are there any restrictions on research that can be conducted with iPS cells?
Yes, generally there are some restrictions on research that may be conducted with iPS cells obtained from WiCell. The restrictions are clearly identified in the MTA that corresponds to a specific cell line. 13. Who can publish the discoveries made using iPS cells from WiCell?
The researcher is free to publish their discoveries. You will need to reference the original paper of the derivation: Yu J. et al. “Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Somatic Cells” Science, 318, 1917-1920 (2007). 14. Do I need a new agreement each time I want an additional cell line?
Yes. A primary investigator must have a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) for each cell line purchased. A second order of the same cell line does not require an additional MTA, only an additional payment of $900 per vial. Contact the Contract Administrator for information.
15. May I obtain your cells from a fellow researcher or university?
Yes, provided that the fellow researcher or university is properly licensed. Contact the Contract Administrator regarding any cell line transfers. |
