ESCORT: Platform Enabling Stem Cell and Organoid Research and Training

The ESCORT program, an institutional initiative at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), a pioneering effort to establish India’s first comprehensive resource of locally derived human embryonic stem cell and induced pluripotent stem cell lines that captures the genetic diversity of India. This platform will serve as a nationally accessible human stem cell resource for disease modelling and drug discovery. Additionally, this program will develop a comprehensive array of genetically engineered reporter stem cell lines, enabling fundamental and applied research in organoid and developmental biology.

A core objective of ESCORT is to develop scalable and automated workflows for stem cell culture, differentiation and organoid based modelling, addressing the high costs and limited accessibility of existing stem cell technologies. To validate and demonstrate the facility’s impact, the established workflows will be applied to fundamental research areas focussing on brain, cardiovascular, hematopoietic and lung development and disease modelling.

Beyond research and development, training and capacity building form a crucial pillar of the ESCORT program. The program will conduct regular hands-on workshops and skill-building courses will be organized to equip scientists, students, and biotech professionals with expertise in stem cell culture, genome editing, organoid technology, and high-throughput screening methods. This effort will help bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications, fostering a highly skilled workforce to support India’s growing biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

Thus, the ESCORT aims to transform stem cell research in India by providing a nationally accessible platform for disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. Through a curated stem cell bank, advanced reporter lines, and automated organoid workflows, the ESCORT program will also strengthen the broader institutional initiative of developing a robust stem cell biobank. Additionally, its commitment to training and capacity building will equip scientists and professionals with cutting-edge expertise, strengthening India’s role as a global leader in stem cell science.

GENERATION OF ESCs & IPSCs

DISEASE MODELING

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

TRAINING