RENEW Biobank

The RENEW Biobank is located at the Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education (hESC) in the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Institute. The Center builds on the established excellence of the Institute, in combination with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, by focusing on four areas of primary importance in stem cells research:

  1. Human embryology
  2. Germ cell development
  3. Reprogramming cells
  4. Directed differentiation of stem cells to other cell types

Reasons for Patients to Donate

  • Each IVF cycle generates a small excess of unusable biological materials. You have the opportunity to donate those discarded IVF materials for research at Stanford.
  • Research on in vitro fertilization and the human embryo prior to implantation is necessary if we are to understand human development and treat a wide range of human disorders including infertility.
  • Advances in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research may some day lead to new treatments for adult diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, spinal chord injuries or Alzheimer's disease.

Reasons for Clinicians to Offer Their Patients Stanford Disposition Options

The RENEW Biobank at the Stanford School of Medicine offers:

  • A streamlined consent process
  • Minimal clinic involvement
  • Friendly and knowledgeable staff
  • Extensive legal and research compliance oversight
  • Ethical procurement and distribution of donated materials
  • State-of-the art database and inventory tracking system

Types of Tissues We Accept

  • Embryos (both autologous and donor)
  • Oocytes
  • Sperm
  • Ovarian tissue
  • Testicular tissue
  • Follicular fluid

Process

  • Clinic identifies patient(s) interested in donation
  • Clinic provides RENEW Biobank literature to patient
  • Clinic provides patient(s) with their clinical donation form
  • Clinic emails RENEW Biobank coordinator a copy of the clinical donation form and the patient contact info
  • RENEW Biobank coordinator contacts interested patient(s) to address any questions/concerns
  • RENEW Biobank coordinator emails eConsent and donor health questionnaire to interested patient(s)
  • Patient(s) reviews eConsent at their own pace and convenience
  • Patient(s) completes and submits eConsent
  • Patient(s) completes and submits donor health questionnaire
  • External patients are advised that materials may remain at local fertility center until sufficient donations have been made to fill a portable tank to warrant FedEx shipping expenses
  • For more information, please contact the RENEW Biobank at (408) 426-5586 or renew-biobank@lists.stanford.edu

Enrollment Documents

Notice

The RENEW Biobank is now accepting embryos, gametes, and other reproductive tissue from fertility patients in California and other select states across the US. Please contact the coordinator to see if your state is eligible.