Korea National Institute of Health, Republic of Korea
Abstract: The Korea National Stem Cell Bank has been banking pluripotent stem cell (PSC) lines since 2012. Quality-controlled and ethically sourced cell lines have been developed for distribution to scientists and clinicians. As of 2024, among the 45 deposited lines, 4 human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines and 16 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from healthy donors have been distributed. Ten fluorescence-tagged iPSC lines have also been developed to monitor fate commitment into the three germ layers—ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Furthermore, 8 iPSC lines derived from patients with specific diseases, including Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, as well as 7 gene-edited iPSC lines, have been newly established and deposited in the banking system. To ensure the quality of these cell lines, eighteen different quality tests have been conducted to assess identity, sterility, consistency, stability, and safety. Regarding genetic stability, we have been collecting SNPchip, whole-exome sequencing (WES), methylation sequencing (Methyl-seq), and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data, which are publicly accessible. PSCs provided by Korea National Stem Cell Bank are certified under the international standard of quality management systems, ISO 9001:2015. Based on these quality assessments, we provide high-quality cell lines to support research in cell and gene therapy.
