The UCI Human Stem Cell Research Oversight (hSCRO) Committee serves as the human stem cell research committee for UC Santa Barbara researchers through a formal agreement, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The UCI hSCRO reviews stem cells research activities in accordance with California state laws, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) regulations, and UCI policies and procedures.
 

Activities requiring hSCRO review

hSCRO review is required if you are:

  • generating new human pluripotent stem cells 
  • using human gametes or embryos, human induced pluripotent stem cells, human fetal tissue, human fetal stem cells, human embryonic stem cells 
  • transplanting neural stem cells into humans 
  • injecting human stem cells into animals 
  • conducting activities where the identity of the tissue donors may become readily ascertainable 

If you are still unsure if you require hSCRO review, visit the UCI hSCRO webpage for more guidance. 
 


Procedures for conducting human stem cell research at UC Santa Barbara

  1. Contact Office of Research, Research Integrity at researchintegrity@research.ucsb.edu to request access to UCI’s hSCRO protocol application.
    1. Include your name, role (e.g., PI) and UCSB Net ID in the request.
  2. Once you have access to the UCI online protocol application, complete and submit a new protocol in Zot hSCRO.
    1. For new studies, protocols should be submitted at least 4-6 weeks prior to anticipated start date.
    2. For renewals with major modifications,  protocols should be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to expiration date.
    3. For renewals with minor changes, or no changes,  protocols should be submitted 4-6 weeks prior to expiration date. 
    4. Modifications may be reviewed on an expedited schedule (e.g., weekly) depending on the type of changes (i.e., minor vs major).
  3. Attach a Protocol Narrative under the "Supporting Documents" Section.
    1. For sections such as the background information, aims, outcome variables, methods and procedures, researchers are encouraged to provide information listed in grant applications to ensure that the Committee has sufficient and complete information for review.
    2. Review the Cell Line Provenance Policy and ensure that the outlined requirements have been addressed.
  4. Obtain ancillary reviews (e.g., IBC, IACUC, IRB) as applicable: 
    1. IBC review is required for most hSCRO studies.
    2. IACUC review is required if any cells are transplanted into animals.
    3. IRB is required for studies involving collection of specimens from human subjects for the purpose of creating induced pluripotent stem cells. Documentation of IRB approval and consent may be required when using cells obtained from non-commercial sources or established repositories.

Helpful Tips:

  1. Review UCI's hSCRO Policies & Procedures
  2. Review the Zot hSCRO user guides
  3. Approval periods may be one year for studies involving human gametes, embryos, fetal tissue, etc., versus three years for purely in vitro research such as registered cell lines (e.g., NIH)

For general questions about ZOT hSCRO, please contact: hscro@uci.edu.

 

Stem Cell Research Links

Contact Information

Melodie Blakemore, CPIA
Associate Director, Research Integrity
blakemore@research.ucsb.edu
(805) 893-4286