A state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing biomedical research in India, the inStem Pluripotent Stem Cell (PluS) Biobank currently houses stem cells derived in India from diverse genetic backgrounds. In addition to control (normal) human induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) lines, the biobank includes a large number of patient-derived iPSCs generated under the Accelerator Program for Discovery in Brain Disorders using Stem Cells (ADBS), aimed at understanding mental illnesses. In the near future, the collection will expand to include iPSCs from individuals with hematological disorders, as well as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), further enhancing its value for disease research and regenerative medicine.

A Unique Resource
The inStem PluS Biobank plays an important role in supporting both in-house research and collaborative projects across institutions. As a centralized resource, it enables consistent access to well-characterized stem cell lines for a broad range of scientific investigations. The genetic diversity represented in the biobank offers researchers a unique opportunity to study how background variation may influence the properties and behavior of stem cells, as well as the mechanisms underlying various diseases. These stem cell lines also serve as critical tools for establishing benchmarking protocols and national standards, while supporting applications in disease modeling, developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and drug screening. Through this effort, the inStem PluS Biobank contributes to strengthening India’s biomedical research ecosystem and advancing long-term efforts toward more effective, personalized therapies.