The Johns Hopkins Institute for Cell Engineering (ICE) represents cell engineering and regenerative medicine research efforts with an emphasis on stem cell biology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The mission of ICE is to foster a collaborative environment and bring together experts from across the university to understand the basic biology of stem cells, basic cell processes and apply new ideas to further the field of cell engineering and regenerative medicine. The ultimate goal is to support and encourage the application and development of new cell technologies to ultimately develop cell-based therapies to treat human devastating diseases.

The promise of stem cell research lies in translatable discoveries that will someday impact human health. Today ICE is home to four research programs that study nearly all aspects of stem cell biology, drawing from faculty experts ranging from basic, molecular immunologists to clinician researchers who see patients. ICE has helped launch several, institution-wide facilities that provide emerging technology services—proteomics, gene expression microarrays, state-of-the-art imaging, and high throughput chemical testing—to facilitate ground-breaking research across the entire university. Today, ICE is a cornerstone of collaborative, cross-disciplinary research at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and home to tremendous expertise in the immunology, neuroregeneration, vascular biology and stem cell biology.

Having established its foundation and proven success in its model, ICE is poised to transform basic stem cell research and speed the translation of these basic discoveries to those in need – the patients with debilitating diseases. Our researchers every day are uncovering more and more about how the human immune system develops and distinguishes self from non-self; how the nervous system develops and repairs itself upon injury or damage due to disease; and how stem cells are able to replenish their own populations on the one hand while responding to cues and precisely differentiating into a myriad of varied cell types on the other hand.

Hand-in-hand with the research program is a strong educational component, where ICE trains fellows, postdocs and graduate students from many of the 13 PhD-granting programs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. At ICE, we believe that to successfully and substantially establish regenerative medicine and the promise of stem cells, we must look to the outstanding faculty at Johns Hopkins University to expand our horizons. The opportunity is now, to grow ICE with new talent and fresh ideas.

ICE investigators continue to publish breaking discoveries in top-tier journals. Our investigators are recognized internationally in the fields of adult neural and embryonic stem cell biology, neuroprotection and Parkinson’s disease, hypoxia and immunobiology. They have also contributed significantly to improving induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) technology, which brings us closer to using pluripotent stem cells derived from adult cells for many new applications. There are four Research Programs at ICE: Immunobiology, Neuroregeneration, Stem Cell Biology, and Vascular Biology. The Institute of Cell Engineering would like to welcome researchers and clinicians to become members of this dynamic environment.

Researchers and clinicians who become members of the ICE will contribute to this multidisciplinary environment aiming to harness the power of stem cells and regenerative medicine to improve human health. Becoming a member has such benefits as receiving announcements of ICE sponsored guest lectures and seminars. Members will also receive funding announcements and an ICE newsletter. Members are encouraged to collaborate with other ICE members and participate in ICE sponsored events. Members will also receive discounted rates for ICE core facilities.

Application

To apply for membership, please send your completed membership application, along with your current CV, NIH biosketch, pending and current grants, and any other supporting documents, as Word or PDF files, to Eleni Georgantonis.

Requirements

• Participation in stem cell or regenerative medicine research
• Participation in at least one Institute for Cell Engineering Program
• Support the Institute for Cell Engineering’s research mission to facilitate interdisciplinary and interdepartmental regenerative research

Benefits

• Notification of Institute for Cell Engineering sponsored guest lectures and seminars
• Receipt and inclusion in the Institute for Cell Engineering newsletter
• Access to Institute for Cell Engineering core facilities

Responsibilities

• Collaborate and interact with other Institute for Cell Engineering members
• Participate in the activities of the Institute for Cell Engineering
• Provide the Institute for Cell Engineering regular updates on publications, research, grants and respond to periodic requests for information

Membership Application and Appointment Process

Faculty may request a membership application from the Institute for Cell Engineering Administration. When the application form and supporting documents are received, the application package is forwarded to the operating committee for review. The final determination regarding membership is the responsibility of the Institute Director.

Reappointment & Review

The Institute for Cell Engineering will annually review membership status after gathering information pertaining to funding and publications as well as the above criteria for membership. Only those members whose appointments are NOT renewed will be notified by the Institute for Cell Engineering.