NATIONAL STEM CELL RESOURCE

胚胎干细胞（ES）和谱系或组织特异性干细胞是生物医学研究中的重要模型，但在这一快速发展的领域，研究材料的可用性和可及性往往受到限制。这些限制可以通过一个中央的、国际公认的干细胞资源来解决，该资源致力于获取和分发非人类胚胎干细胞和来自各种物种的后天衍生干细胞的细胞、试剂和信息。ATCC是从事这类努力的历史最悠久、规模最大、经验最丰富的组织。有效和具有成本效益的生物材料和信息的加入、表征、扩展、保存和分发机制已经牢固地建立起来，并且每天都得到高度利用。在很大程度上，这些程序是ATCC出于需要而制定的，提供了一种促进持续实验和改进的氛围。此外，几位ATCC科学家正在从事与干细胞生物学相关的研究，为资源提供关键的研究方向。我们建议加入，表征，扩增，保存和分发非人类胚胎干细胞，以及来自各种品系和物种的出生后衍生干细胞。在杰克逊实验室Barbara Knowles博士的指导下，通过一个联盟安排，小鼠胚胎干细胞的生殖系能力将在分配之前以定量的方式得到确认。我们还将与威斯康星大学James Thomson博士合作，开展与资源相关的研究，广泛表征干细胞的生物学特性和干细胞研究中使用的分子工具的效用。我们将规范和选择方法，并开发新的试剂，以使程序和试剂广泛适用于各种物种和菌株。我们还将建立互动的网络机制，分发信息、技术和材料，并作为信息交流和快速传播这一极其活跃领域进展的集中来源。

Embryonal stem (ES) cells and lineage- or tissue-specific stem cells are important models in biomedical studies, but the availability and accessibility of research materials in this rapidly advancing field often become limiting. These restrictions can be addressed by a central, internationally recognized Stem Cell Resource devoted to acquisition and distribution of cells, reagents and information on nonhuman ES cells and postnatally derived stem cells from a variety of species. ATCC is the oldest, largest and most experienced organization engaging in this type of endeavor. Mechanisms for efficient and cost-effective accessioning, characterization, expansion, preservation and distribution of biomaterials and information are firmly in place and highly utilized daily. To a large degree these procedures were developed at ATCC out of necessity, providing an atmosphere fostering continued experimentation and improvement. In addition, several ATCC scientists are pursuing research relevant to stem cell biology, providing a critical research orientation to the Resource. We propose to accession, characterize, expand, preserve and distribute nonhuman ES cells, as well as postnatally derived stem cells from a variety of strains and species. Through a consortium arrangement under the direction of Dr. Barbara Knowles at The Jackson Laboratories, germline competency of murine ES cells will be confirmed in a quantitative manner prior to distribution, - We will also carry out Resource-related research, in partnership with Dr. James Thomson, Univ. of Wisconsin, to extensively characterize stem cells with regard to biological properties and utility of molecular tools used in stem cell research. We will standardize and opting methodology and develop new reagents in an attempt to make procedures and reagents broadly applicable across a range of species and strains. We will also establish interactive, web-based mechanisms to distribute information and technology as well as materials, and serve as a centralized source for information exchange and rapid dissemination of advances in this extremely active field.