A new NHGRI Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research collection of induced pluripotent stem cell lines.

We describe here a new NHGRI Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research collection of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines reprogrammed from whole blood derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) donated by African Americans living in St. Louis, Missouri. The PBMCs were reprogrammed using Sendai viral vectors carrying OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC. The iPSC lines exhibit a normal karyotype, express common stemness and pluripotency markers, and demonstrate the ability to differentiate into cell types representing all three germ layers. These iPSCs (n=5) will have accompanying public, near telomere to telomere genomic data through the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium, and will provide an invaluable in vitro resource for studying common genetic and genomic variation and its functional implications.