RUCDR Infinite Biologics awarded $6 million grant from NINDS

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has awarded a five-year grant worth up to $6,034,323 to RUCDR Infinite Biologics, a unit of Rutgers' Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey. RUCDR, which is located on Rutgers' Busch Campus in Piscataway, is the world's largest university-based biorepository.

With the new grant, the Rutgers operation will take over management of the NINDS stem cell repository. RUCDR also will provide a comprehensive range of stem-cell related services including derivation and quality control of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), to researchers throughout the world investigating diseases including Parkinson's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's. These scientists will therefore have greater access to high quality stem cells and other biospecimens that is essential to their work, according to Jay Tischfield, CEO and founder of RUCDR Infinite Biologics and the Duncan and Nancy Macmillan Distinguished Professor of Genetics at Rutgers.

"Under this new grant from NINDS, we will be utilizing innovative technologies, including molecular characterization of stem cell pluripotency and genomic stability, to provide the highest quality cell lines and data to advance discovery in areas of focus for NINDS," Tischfield said. "We also will use cutting-edge methods such as CRISPR-based systems to edit the genomes of induced pluripotent stem cells, generating powerful tools for research into the genetic causes and correlates of nervous system disorders."

RUCDR has been providing genomic services to NIH-funded researchers since 1998 and stem cell services since 2011, including management of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Stem Cell Center and the iPSC collection of the NIH Center for Regenerative Medicine.