Australian researchers' perceptions and experiences with stem cell registration

Area of Science:

• Stem cell research
• Biotechnology
• Scientific governance

Background:

• The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) recommends registering human pluripotent stem cell lines (hPSCs).
• Registration is vital for establishing cell line provenance and linking data to specific cell lines.
• Understanding barriers to registration is crucial for improving compliance and data integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify common barriers faced by Australian stem cell stakeholders regarding the registration of hPSCs.
• To assess the current state of hPSC registration within the Australian research community.
• To gather insights for improving registration processes and compliance.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving interviews with 48 Australian stem cell stakeholders.
• Stakeholders included researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals.
• Analysis of interview data to identify themes related to registration barriers and perceptions.

Main Results:

• Australian stem cell researchers do not routinely register their hPSC lines.
• Only one-third of Australian hPSC lines in international registries are fully registered.
• Registered lines often lack complete ethical provenance and pluripotency data.
• Concerns were raised about the quality of incomplete information in registries.
• Registration is perceived as a barrier to publication, reducing user engagement.

Conclusions:

• Incomplete hPSC registration undermines open science principles and data reliability.
• Journals and stem cell societies play a key role in promoting registration awareness and compliance.
• Addressing perceived barriers and improving information quality can enhance registry utility and adoption.