KISCO - Karolinska Institutet Stem Cell Organoid
The Karolinska Stem Cell Organoids (KISCO) is a facility at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Campus Flemingsberg.
It is focused on services related to human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) characterisation, consolidation, differentiation to desired lineage and organoid generation to study development and disease in culture system that closely reflect the in vivo organ or tissue setting. The Murine Stem Cell Unit (MSCU) focuses on transgenic mouse ESC (mESC) characterisation, consolidation, differentiation to the desired lineage, and organoid generation. The MSCU service includes facilitating access to, and derivation of, transgenic mESCs available in transgenic mouse embryo repositories. Both facilities are equipped to conduct experiments in pre-implantation embryology and stem cell biology, and strive to offer relevant complex stem cell models to study human development and disease.
The main goal of KISCO is, to assist researchers mainly within KI and Sweden to harbour the potential of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in studying complex human disease mechanisms. A key tool offered and that will be continuously developed is the derivation and use of in vitro organoid systems of mouse and human stem cell origin. KISCO is unique in offering these services as a core facility in Sweden.
Services
- Adapting pluripotent stem cells to feeder free culture
- Characterization of pluripotent stem cells
- Cryopreservation of consolidated lineage at early passages
- Differentiation of hiPSCs toward desired lineage/cell type
- Consolidation of progenitor/ specialized cells in feeder free culture condition
- Gene editing of stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology
- Transfection of cells with reporter genes (GFP, LacZ, Luciferase, etc)
- Tissue-specific organoid derivation from hiPSC or patient biopsies for in vitro assays
- Available organoid models are – area-specific brain organoids, endometrial, lung, gut, liver and bone.
- We provide advise in designing in vitro experiments.
- Hands-on training workshops
- Shipping of cryopreserved material
We also help in research project specific needs to assist more complex experiments.
Request services
Contacts
The KISCO Facility Scientific Director is Associate Professor José Inzunza.
The members of the Facility Scientific Advisory Board are Prof. Christian G. Giske (LabMed, KI). Prof. Kenny Rodriguez-Wallberg (Onk-Pat, KI), Prof. Jan-Åke Gustafsson (Huston University,U.S) Prof. Ganesh Acharya (CLINTEC, KI), and Dr. Ivan Nalvarte (NVS, KI).
Jose Inzunza
Director of facilityJonathan Arias
Expert in Cell Reprogramming and EditingConference April 15-16
Photo: Jelena PekicLabmed hosted a conference on Stem Cells, Organoids, and AI
On April 15-16 2025, the Department of Laboratory Medicine (Labmed) hosted "The Advancements in Stem Cells, Organoids, AI, and Regenerative Medicine", a highly attended conference which brought together a multidisciplinary community of researchers, clinicians, and industry experts from across the world.