Oversight & Review

A peak at a researcher at work in a UCLA lab.

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Oversight (hPSCRO) Committee

The UCLA Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Oversight, or hPSCRO, Committee ensures that all human pluripotent stem cell research conducted at the University adheres to the highest ethical and scientific standards and complies with campus policies as well as California and federal laws. 

This committee includes experts in relevant scientific and medical fields, such as molecular biology, developmental biology, stem cell research, assisted reproduction, legal and/or ethical issues in human pluripotent stem cell research as well as non-scientific members and patient advocates who are not affiliated with UCLA. Administrative support for hPSCRO is jointly provided by our center and the UCLA Vice Chancellor for Research.

Prior to conducting research that falls under the scope of the hPSCRO Committee, researchers at UCLA must submit an application for review.  Committee approval is required before research can proceed.

Scope

hSCPRO review is required for research using human pluripotent stem cells and populations – regardless of their origin – that are capable of differentiating into multiple tissue types. Adult precursors that differentiate into cells of a single tissue type do not require hPSCRO review.  

For human pluripotent stem cell research involving interactions or interventions with human subjects, prospective approval is required from both the hPSCRO committee and Institutional Review Board. 

  1. hPSCRO Short Application for human pluripotent stem cell research not involving human subjects 
    Please complete the hPSCRO Short Application and appropriate appendices (if any) for research involving no interactions or interventions with human subjects including use of the following: commercially available somatic cells, hPSC lines available from the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center Stem Cell Bank or the NIH Registry, and hPSC lines from other institutions. 

  2. hPSCRO Human Subjects Application for human pluripotent stem cell research involving human subjects 
    Please complete the hPSCRO Human Subjects Application for research that includes interactions or interventions with human subjects, including: obtaining primary biological material from donors/patients and clinical trials. 

Please submit complete signed hPSCRO applications to:
Maria Dominguez, hPSCRO administrator
MariaDominguez@mednet.ucla.edu

UCLA Regulatory & Compliance Committees 

We also work in partnership with several UCLA entities to ensure our research complies with federal, state, University of California and UCLA regulations and policies. These partners include: