iPSC Derivation Services

Overview

We accept the following human sample types for reprogramming into iPSCs:

• Fresh whole blood (delivered to the iPS Core within 24 hours of blood draw)
• PBMC
• Fibroblast
• Other human cell/tissue types by request

We offer the following reprogramming methods:

• Sendai virus
• Lipid nanoparticles (LNP RNA)
• Episomal vectors
• mRNA (fibroblast only)

We are happy to advise on the best reprogramming service for your needs. 

For pricing, timelines and service details, see below.

To request a quote or discuss your project with us, please use our service request form.

Have another idea? Custom projects can be arranged by consultation; please contact us.

Rates

These rates are effective July 1st, 2026.

To place an order, please use our service request form. The HSCI iPS Core offers the following derivation services (rates differ according to Harvard affiliation and for-profit/non-profit status; all rates are subject to change):

^* "Harvard and HMS Faculty" includes two groups of users: 1) all Harvard faculty and researchers using a Harvard University 33-digit billing code, and 2) HMS Quad A and Quad B faculty members.

Process Guidelines

Service Details

Module 1: PBMC isolation and freezing

The HSCI iPS Core provides the isolation and freezing of PBMC from a blood sample in preparation for reprogramming. Four to eight ml of blood in EDTA tube (purple cap) should be delivered to the Core within 24 hours of the blood draw. The PBMC are isolated by a density gradient centrifugation method using Ficoll and then frozen down at 1-3 x10^6 cells/cryovial.

In the unlikely event that we fail to isolate PBMC from properly collected blood samples due to errors by the Core, there will be no charge for this attempt. We will ask the investigator to provide a new blood sample to complete the service.

Module 2a*: Reprogramming somatic cells using the Sendai virus method

This service, which takes ~2 months to complete, includes:

• Blood or fibroblast expansion, mycoplasma testing, freezing vials and plating for transduction.
• Transduction of 1 well (150,000 cells/well) with Sendai virus.
• Splitting onto one 10cm dish with irradiated MEFs.
• Picking 6 colonies 3 weeks later
• Expansion of 5 iPS lines
• Cryopreservation (6 vials per line)
• Thawing test for one cryovial
• Mycoplasma testing

Module 2b*: Reprogramming somatic cells using the LNP RNA method

This service, which takes ~2 months to complete, includes:

• Blood or fibroblast expansion, mycoplasma testing, freezing vials and plating for transduction.
• Transduction of 1 well using lipid nanoparticles (LNP) to deliver RNA.
• Splitting onto one 10cm dish with irradiated MEFs.
• Picking 6 colonies 3 weeks later
• Expansion of 5 iPS lines
• Cryopreservation (6 vials per line)
• Thawing test for one cryovial
• Mycoplasma testing

Module 2c*: Reprogramming fibroblasts using the modified mRNA/microRNA method

This service, which takes ~2 months to complete, includes:

• Fibroblast expansion, mycoplasma testing, freezing 3-5 vials
• Plating fibroblasts into 1 well (50,000 cells/well) on Cultrex
• Transfection with microRNA on day 1
• Transfection with mRNA on day 2-3-4
• Transfection with microRNA/mRNA on day 5
• Transfection with mRNA every day until day 12
• Picking 6 colonies around day 15 to 20
• Expansion of 5 iPS lines
• Freezing (6 vials per line)
• Thawing test for one cryovial
• Mycoplasma testing

Module 2d*: Reprogramming somatic cells using episomal vectors

This service, which takes ~2 months to complete, includes:

• Somatic cell expansion, mycoplasma testing, freezing 1-3 vials
• Nucleofecting 500,000 cells with the Epi5 vectors.
• Splitting onto one 10 cm dish with irradiated MEFs. Feeding every day.
• Picking 6 colonies 3 weeks later
• Expansion of 5 iPS lines
• Freezing (6 vials per line)
• Thawing test for one cryovial

• Mycoplasma testing

   

*Information regarding modules 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d:

• Fibroblasts can be sent frozen or brought to the Core as live culture. The investigator is required to test fibroblasts for mycoplasma before submission and only negative samples will be accepted. The fibroblasts should be at a low passage (ideally less than 10) and should be proliferating. In our experience, senescent cultures are not as amenable to reprogramming. If a lack of proliferation or abnormal morphology is observed, we will discuss with the investigator and either proceed with obtaining new fibroblast samples, or attempt to transduce. Failure in such situations will result in the investigator bearing the cost of the attempt.
• In some situations, for no apparent reason, we do not obtain any colonies from the first round of reprogramming. We will then try one more round using modified strategies (e.g. p53 knock-down, addition of chemical compounds). If the second round is unsuccessful, we will not repeat the reprogramming. The investigator will be charged half of the price of module 2a, 2b, 2c or 2d for two failed attempts.
• We target 5 colonies per sample for expansion. In our experience, 5 colonies have been sufficient to generate at least 3 karyotypically normal iPS cell lines. The iPS lines can be delivered to the investigator in frozen vials and/or live culture. If the characterization is done at the Core, we will deliver 5 frozen vials for the characterized iPS lines and 2 frozen vials for the extra lines. If only module 2 is done at the Core, 2 frozen vials will be delivered for each iPS line. No vials will be kept at the core. Unused frozen fibroblasts/PBMC will be delivered to the investigator at the same time.
• Normally, the iPS colonies are picked and expanded on MEFs. While the derivation will continue to be done on MEFs, we offer feeder-free colony-picking and expansion at no extra charge.

Characterization Services

Once iPSC lines are established, we will discuss with you which characterization module(s) you will choose to have the Core perform. The workflow is optimized for proceeding without having to restart the cultures.

Please see Characterization Services page for rates.