Repro,Maint& Diff hPSCs Course-CA-Winter

This intensive 5-day hands-on training course from STEMCELL Technologies provides comprehensive instruction in reprogramming, maintenance, and differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Held in California during the winter session, the program combines lectures with practical laboratory sessions covering feeder-free and feeder-based culture systems using established media such as mTeSR Plus and TeSR-E8.

Participants learn colony morphology assessment, enzymatic and mechanical passaging techniques, cryopreservation workflows, and quality control assays including flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry for pluripotency markers such as OCT4, SSEA-4, and TRA-1-60. The differentiation module explores directed lineage commitment into ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, with protocols for embryonic body formation and monolayer differentiation. Reprogramming content covers both integrative and non-integrative methods, including the use of ReproRNA vectors and Sendai virus delivery for generating induced pluripotent stem cells from somatic sources.

The course is structured for academic researchers, industry scientists, and core facility staff who manage hPSC lines. Attendees receive detailed protocol manuals, reagent lists, and access to post-course technical support. Class sizes are limited to ensure direct instructor interaction during cell culture work, with separate modules for beginners and experienced users. Topics also include troubleshooting common culture problems, mycoplasma screening, karyotyping basics, and best practices for banking and distribution of hPSC lines within research programs.