Stem Cell Use

What is a SCRO committee?

A Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO) Committee is a group of individuals with specific expertise that can provide an additional level of review warranted by the complex issues raised by human embryonic stem cell research.

The oversight of this committee extends to all stem cell research, but does not substitute for other types of review that might be required, such as review by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

How frequently is SCRO Committee review required for a research project?

Approved research shall be reviewed by the SCRO Committee every year, or more frequently, as determined by the Committee on a case-by-case basis. The investigator will be reminded of expiration date(s), and s/he is responsible for submitting renewal applications in a timely manner.

Where can I get a SCRO Committee application?

There is an online application, at myResearch Safety, which may be accessed at https://myresearch.stonybrook.edu/.  You may login with your Stony Brook University ID and password to create an application.  

What training is required in order to conduct research with stem cells?

All study team members participating in research under SCRO purview are required to complete the online training module.  

How is the SCRO Committee review coordinated with reviews by other oversight committees?

Research requiring SCRO Committee review should be submitted concurrently with submission of the research to any other University entity (e.g., IRB, IACUC, IBC, COI, RDRC) that may have responsibility for oversight of other aspects of the research. Research activities approved by the SCRO Committee may be subject to further review, modification of, approval and/or disapproval by all relevant bodies; however, those committees and officials may not approve the conduct of research within the SCRO Committee's jurisdiction if approval was previously withheld by the SCRO Committee.

What happens if the continuing review application is not submitted by the expiration of approval date?

Failure to submit the application by the deadline will result in withdrawal of approval.

What kind of change to an approved SCRO application should be submitted for review by the SCRO Committee prior to implementation?

Actions likely to be considered a change requiring prior approval from the SCRO Committee include, but are not limited to the following:

• Change in the specific aims

• Change in source or type of human pluripotent stem cells;

• Any change from the approved use of animals or human subjects, including the substitution of one animal model for another;

• Shift of the research emphasis from one disease area to another;

• Application of a new technology;

• Change in investigators listed on the approved ISCRO application, including change in PI and removal of members; and a

• Change in funding source to the lab or to the project.

When does the SCRO Committee meet?

The SCRO Committee meets on an as needed basis; review materials are circulated to Committee members a week in advance of a meeting.

What are the consequences for conducting research covered by the SCRO Committee without the Committee's approval?

The SCRO Committee has the authority to suspend or terminate research that falls under its jurisdiction.  The SCRO Committee will notify the Stony Brook Institutional Official(s), as well as other relevant committees (e.g., IRB, IACUC, IBC, COI, RDRC) of any suspension or termination.

The SCRO Committee also has the authority to terminate the participation of Stony Brook researchers in research conducted at a site outside the University. In such cases, the SCRO Committee chair will inform the responsible institutional officials at each institution involved in the research of the termination.

What type of research is reviewed by the SCRO Committee?

The following is also subject to oversight by the SCRO Committee. Other human induced pluripotent stem cells, and human embryonic germ cells where the research involves: 

• Introduction of the cells into humans;

• Introduction of the cells into the central nervous system of non-human primates;

• Introduction of the cells into non-human animals andthere is a reasonable possibility of the cells giving rise to gametes; or,

• Creation of gametes or embryos.

 **National Academies of Sciences publication, "Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research" (2005).