Julie Neubauer

Title

EBiSC – The European Bank for iPS Cells – a joint endeavour to accelerate and standardise iPS research 

Abstract

Since their introduction in 2007, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have transformed biomedical research by offering unprecedented opportunities for in vitro disease modelling, drug discovery, and personalised medicine using physiologically relevant human cell models. In response to the growing demand for standardised iPSC resources, the European Bank for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (EBiSC) was established in 2014.

EBiSC serves as a centralized platform and infrastructure for the acquisition, storage, and dissemination of iPSCs and associated data, aiming to enhance reusability and reproducibility in iPSC research endeavours. The primary objective of EBiSC is to facilitate the sharing of iPSCs derived from donated samples across diverse disease contexts. By providing access to a comprehensive collection of iPSC lines along with associated protocols, training materials, and openly accessible datasets, EBiSC enables iPSC research within both non-profit and commercial organisations.

This initiative was initiated under two funded project phases as public-private partnerships, receiving support from the Innovative Medicines Initiative and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). To enable long-term sustainability, it has implemented a model that ensures continued availability and accessibility of iPSC resources. A cornerstone of EBiSC’s approach is its collaborative biobanking model by being jointly supported by two not-for-profit research organisations: Fraunhofer UK and Fraunhofer IBMT.

By sharing lessons learned and best practices in iPSC collection, characterisation, and distribution, EBiSC aims to enhance the usability and impact of iPSC resources while maintaining rigorous standards for quality control, ethical governance, and data management. In conclusion, EBiSC provides a vital infrastructure for the standardized acquisition and sharing of iPSC resources across Europe and beyond. Through its collaborative efforts, EBiSC seeks to advance scientific knowledge, accelerate understanding of disease, and ultimately improve patient outcomes, thereby benefiting researchers, patients, and the broader scientific community alike. 

Biography

Julie Neubauer is the CEO of the Fraunhofer Center for Stem Cell Process Engineering and Head of Department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT) in Würzburg, Germany. With over 15 years of experience at Fraunhofer, she leads research initiatives focused on the development and optimization of scalable bioprocesses for stem cell manufacturing. Her expertise spans bioprocess engineering, automation, biobanking and translational research, aiming to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and industrial applications in regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies.