The WiCell Research Institute, the host of the former National Stem Cell Bank, has increased the number of cell lines available in its WISC Bank.
WiCell has redistributed all 20 of the NSCB's human embryonic stem-cell lines to their own WISC Bank, expanding their accessible cell lines to 33.
WISC Bank will continue to ""carry its previously banked seven induced pluripotent (iPS) stem-cell lines and six genetically modified hES cell lines,"" according to a release.
WiCell was founded in 1999 as a UW-Madison affiliated nonprofit research institute and is now under contract with the National Institutes of Health to host the former NSCB for five years.
""WiCell has developed a unique track record in developing the expertise, protocols and quality assurance systems for the optimal growth, culture, testing, storage and distribution of ... [stem] cells,"" WiCell Executive Director Erik Forsberg said in a release.
