Research and Sponsored Programs

The primary mission of the Human Stem Cell Research Oversight (HSCRO) Committee is to review, approve and oversee the use of human stem cells in all research and testing activities conducted by University facilities or personnel. The HSCRO Committee functions as a sub-committee of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and addresses the ethical issues resulting from human stem cell research of human stem cells as well as ensuring compliance with federal and UToledo regulations and policies. The HSCRO Committee derives its authority from the National Research Council's Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (NRC Guidelines), the NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research (NIH Stem Cell Guidelines) and the UToledo IBC Policy (3364-70-06).

For additional information, see the Frequently Asked Questions or contact the HSCRO Administrator.

HSCRO Administrator

Mahesh Pillai, M.D., Ph.D., C.I.P.

Director, Research Compliance
The University of Toledo
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Main Campus | R1 - Suite 1020A

Phone: 419.383.4251 | Email: Mahesh.Pillai@UToledo.edu

Ravindika Dissanayake, Ph.D

Associate Compliance Analyst, IACUC
The University of Toledo
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Main Campus | R1 1020E

Phone: 419.383.5321 | Email: Ravindika.DissanayakeMudiyanselage@UToledo.edu

HSCRO Frequently Asked Questions

• Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC)
• Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSC)
• Adult Stem Cells
• Fetal Tissue Stem Cells

• National Research Council's Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research
• NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research

Yes

The following are restrictions based upon federal and University guidelines.

• Researchers may only conduct hESC research using those hESC lines that appear on the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry.
• Researchers are not permitted to be involved directly in the development of new hESC lines from human embryos or blastocysts using blastocysts created through somatic cell nuclear transfer. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is taking an oocyte (egg cell) and implant a donor nucleus from a body (somatic) cell.
• Researchers are not permitted to be involved in human research involving somatic cell nuclear transfer techniques for the purpose of reproductive cloning.
• Researchers are not permitted to conduct research in which hESCs or hiPSCs are introduced into a non-human primate embryo or blastocyst.
• Researchers are not permitted to breed animals in which hESCs or hiPSCs have been introduced at any stage of development.