Northwestern University Committee on Human Stem Cell Research

POLICY ON HUMAN STEM CELL RESEARCH

Northwestern University supports the responsible pursuit of research involving the use of human stem cells. Accordingly, Northwestern has determined that the University will not support research involving the use of human stem cells conducted with the objective of human reproductive cloning or that utilizes methodologies allowing for nuclear transfer from human cells into animal tissue or vice versa. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that research involving the use of human stem cells at Northwestern University is conducted in an appropriate manner and within the guidelines established by State and Federal regulations and by other University policies.

Northwestern's Policy on Human Stem Cell Research

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

National Academies' Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research
International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
Illinois Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Prohibition Act
NIH Guidelines on Human Stem Cell Research

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN STEM CELL RESEARCH (NUCHSCR)

To help ensure the University's ability to meet the regulatory expectations of funding sources and oversight agencies, all research involving human stem cells must be reviewed and approved by NUCHSCR prior to beginning work on the protocol. The committee's review will focus on ethical concerns and consider the scientific basis of the proposed methodology and hypothesis.

Please note NUCHSCR review does not replace the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Also, if applicable the recommendations of the committee will be provided to the IRB.

FORMS

NUCHSCR Application	The human stem cell research application should be accompanied by all relevant documents, including: protocol, grant application, consent from, recruitment materials. Applications may be submitted to the NUCHSCR coordinator.
NU Human Stem Cell Financial Application	Complete the relevant sections of the NU Human Stem Cell Financial Application and include with your submission to NUCHSCR.

CONTACTS

NUCHSCR Chair	Lewis J. Smith, MD Associate Vice President for Research l-smith@northwestern.edu (312) 503- 2615
NUCHSCR Coordinator	Lisa M. Linn, CCRC Senior IRB Coordinator l-linn@northwestern.edu (312) 503-5368

EQUIPMENT POLICIES & PROCEDURES FOR SPONSORED PROJECTS

Research involving non-approved stem cell lines under current federal guidelines requires special administrative provisions to ensure that the federal government does not financially support the research activities. Federal regulations prohibit the use of federally-funded equipment, supplies and personnel to support research using non-approved stem cell lines. Northwestern researchers cannot conduct research using non-approved human stem cell lines without ensuring an appropriate administrative structure to support the research.

NUCHSCR will provide the Office of the Controller/Cost Studies with the portion of the human stem cell research application that identifies the research location and other financial considerations in order to ensure that Northwestern is able to meet applicable Federal guidelines for the conduct of the research.

CONTACTS

Acounting Services for Research & Sponsored Projects (ASRSP) Assistance with equipment purchased related to a sponsored project	Jany Raskina ASRSP Property Manager y-raskina@northwestern.edu
Northwestern University Accounting Services Assistance related to Northwestern University's equipment inventory	Robert Glick Property Control Coordinator (PCC) r-glick@northwestern.edu