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Welcome to the SCRO Website

At Stanford University, the conduct of research involving human stem cells is governed by policy, incorporating U.S., State of California, and California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) regulations, and reviewed by the University's Institutional Review Board (IRB) and SCRO (Stem Cell Research Oversight) Panel.

All research that involves the use of human stem cells, human embryos, or their derivatives must be reviewed (download pdf of review schedule) and approved by the IRB/SCRO Panel prior to activity commencement. In order to obtain approval for your activities, you'll need to complete and submit an electronic protocol application form, detailing your intended use of stem cells. In general, protocol applications that require full IRB/SCRO review and are received by the first working day of the month will be reviewed at the IRB/SCRO Panel meeting on the second Tuesday of the following month. The IRB/SCRO Panel meets the second Tuesday of every month. 

NIH Update

As of July 7, 2009, the NIH has established a NIH Stem Cell Registry that will include hESC lines eligible for NIH-funded research. Only hESCs that have been reviewed and deemed eligible by the NIH in accordance with the NIH Guidelines may be used in NIH-supported research. The NIH does not support derivation of human embryonic stem cell lines but will support established hESC lines that are compliant and registered with NIH.

Currently, SCRO is working on an internal process to enable investigators to submit their cell lines to NIH. These procedures will be available shortly.

If you have any questions about current NIH Guidelines or stem cell registration, please contact the SCRO Manager at (650) 724-2866