Research Oversight Committee, Stem Cells (ROCSC)
Welcome to the homepage of the UCSC Research Oversight Committee for Stem Cells (ROCSC). This website has been created to assist UCSC faculty who plan to conduct research using human stem stells in complying with State and Federal guidelines and UCSC policies.
The ROCSC is responsible for oversight of campus issues related to the use of human stem cells. Specifically, the Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the ethical and scientific merit of human stem cell research protocols in coordination with review of other appropriate boards (e.g., IRB, IBC, CARC). The Office of Research Compliance Administration provides administrative support to the ROCSC.
REQUIREMENTS
All UCSC researchers planning to conduct research involving human stem cells must obtain approval from the Research Oversight Committee, Stem Cells (ROCSC) before initiating the research, regardless of the source of funding.
To obtain approval, researchers should submit a Stem Cell Application to the Office of Research Compliance Administration at campus mail stop OMIP.
For the purpose of compliance, the term "human stem cell research" includes research involving any culture-derived, human pluripotent stem cell population that is capable of:
1) sustained propagation in culture; and
2) self-renewal to produce daughter cells with equivalent developmental potential. “Pluripotent” means capable of differentiation into mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm. This definition of human stem cell research includes both embryonic and non-embryonic human stem cell lines regardless of the tissue of origin. It also includes the derivation and/or use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
State of California Requirements
Senate Bill 1260, Chapter 483.
California law requires approval by a stem cell oversight committee of research involving the derivation or use of human stem cells.
CIRM Requirements
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine requires verification from grantees of CARC approval of the proposed use of live vertebrate animals; ROCSC review and approval of the proposed use of “covered stem cell lines”; and IRB approval of the proposed use of human subjects.
Federal Requirements
The Federal Government has established specific conditions regarding Federal funding of research on human embryonic stem cells. The information on the site provides the latest information.
The National Academy of Sciences' Guidelines recommend that all institutions conducting hES cell research establish an Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight committee to provide an additional level of review and scrutiny warranted by the complex issues raised by hES cell research and to ensure that the provenance of hES cells is documented.