S
16 | UC MERCED RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE
Stem Cell
Instrumentation Foundry
Stem cell research is an extraordinari-
ly promising field of modern biology,
yielding already fundamental discoveries
on the nature of complex organisms and
human medicine.
The Stem Cell Instrumentation Foundry
(SCIF) was created to provide stem cell
scientists at UC Merced and throughout
California access to the instruments,
techniques and training necessary for
carrying out advanced applications
in stem cell research. The facility was
created and is funded by a $4.35 million
investment by the California Institute of
Regenerative Medicine.
The Foundry is housed in 4,260 square
feet of research laboratory space pro-
viding for human and mouse stem cell
culture, flow cytometry, quantitative cell
imaging, as well as Class 1000 and 100
clean rooms for micro/nano fabrication
and workstations.
What sets SCIF apart from analogous
laboratories at other institutions is that it
houses a range of microfluidics, nano-
technology and single-cell analysis-based
systems. This enables researchers, many
with no prior knowledge of micro/
nano techniques, to custom design their
unique devices online to address their
specific scientific needs and rapidly inte-
grate these cutting-edge technologies into
their experimental designs.
SCIF is also equipped with advanced
“collaboratory” technology, composed
of integrated, tool-oriented computing
and communications systems allowing
researchers to access both online support
and workshops, as well as connect with
collaborating scientists. SCIF is also set
up to allow for the development of new
tools and approaches applicable to basic
and applied research that will further
advance the understanding of regenera-
tive medicine.
The mission of SCIF is to provide an
open and versatile environment for the
most promising stem cell projects.
The research conducted at the Foundry
will enable new discoveries about stem
cells – discoveries that will help research-
ers further understand the molecular
signals that influence the properties
and behavior of stem cells. Advanced
innovations resulting from this research
will allow the development of new and
revolutionary treatments for a wide array
of human diseases.
Leadership and Vision
for SCIF
As the director of SCIF,
ANAND GADRE
,
Ph.D., MBA
, oversees training and man-
ages the equipment and other resources
of the Foundry. Gadre has extensive col-
laborations with other campus research-
ers, and, in particular, shares his research
interests in the areas of lab-on-a-chip
systems, microfluidics stem-cell-based
tissue engineering and biosensing.
His vision for SCIF is that it will enhance
the research experience for undergrad-
uate and graduate students in their early
academic careers – helping create future
leaders in research – and serve as a hub
for collaborations within the campus and
with neighboring institutions.
The mission of SCIF is to provide an open and versatile environment for the most
promising stem cell projects.
