Family Bank: First Stem Cell and Genomics Laboratory

About

First Stem Cell and Genomics Laboratory (FSG) is the first facility in Dubai to offer family and public stem cell banking in a GMP laboratory, combined with genomics analysis in a single integrated platform. Our facility includes GMP Laboratories and ISO Cleanrooms dedicated to stem cell isolation, culture, and banking. Additionally, our facility includes a state-of-the-art in-house molecular and genomics laboratory, offering a comprehensive range of tests, including NIPS, PGS, Real-Time PCR, and Next-Generation Sequencing. This unique integration of services establishes us as a trailblazing entity in the UAE, seamlessly combining the latest technologies with advanced applications in stem cell, regenerative, and molecular medicine.

Labs and Locations

FIRST STEM CELL AND GENOMICS LABORATORY 
Golden Mile 2, Building 1, Mezzanine Floor, Office 26
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai UAE

Business Experience

Stem Cell Banking Made Simple: 

Step 1: Download our (Umniati أمنيتي) mobile application and complete your details.

Step 2: The cord blood/tissue collection kit will be delivered to your location.

Step 3: Our trained healthcare providers will collect the cord blood/tissue after the baby is delivered.

Step 4: We will coordinate the collection of the cord blood/tissue from the hospital, and our experts will process it in our FSG Laboratory that operates 24/7, and we will ensure the cells are cryopreserved for 30 years.

Collection Kit

FSG's Advanced Cord Blood and Tissue Collection Kit

At FSG, we have developed a state-of-the-art collection and transportation kit designed specifically to ensure the safe, sterile, and efficient transport of cord blood and tissue samples, Engineered with precision, this kit ensures optimal sample integrity from the moment of collection to arrival at our processing facility.

Key Features of the FSG Stem Cell Collection Kit

• Temperature Indicators: Stem cell viability is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The FSG kit includes built-in temperature indicators that alert if the internal environment deviates from the optimal range of 4°C to 27°C, safeguarding the sample throughout its journey.
• Vacuum-Insulated Panels: To ensure thermal stability, the kit is equipped with vacuum-insulated panels, offering high-performance insulation that maintains a consistent internal temperature during transit, even in variable external conditions.
• Heparin-Free Blood Collection Tubes: FSG uses heparin-free collection tubes, which are ideal for maintaining stem cell integrity and compatibility during processing, reducing interference with downstream applications.
• Sterile, Versatile Collection Bags: Each kit includes a sterile, single-use cord blood collection bag designed for use in both vaginal and cesarean deliveries. The bag is pre-filled with a specialized transport medium that helps preserve cell viability and structural integrity during transport.

Shipping Info

After the cord blood and tissue have been collected, the labor and delivery staff will return the collection kit to a designated family member. The family member will then hand over the kit to the FSG collection team, who will coordinate pick-up directly from the hospital room. FSG manages the entire transportation process from the hospital to our laboratory. Each kit is pre-labeled for identification and handling accuracy. 

FSG samples are transported in a temperature-controlled box. The shipping box contains temperature loggers and has been validated at extreme temperatures for long durations.

Our courier service operates 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. To ensure complete transparency and security, the kit is monitored through an electronic tracking system, allowing real-time updates as soon as it leaves the mother's bedside until it safely arrives at the FSG lab.

Processing Method

An experienced and dedicated team is responsible for processing the cord blood and cord tissue to isolate hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, respectively. We are using the AXP system to isolate hematopoietic stem cells, while for mesenchymal stem cells, we have standardized our in-house methods.

Components Stored

The parents are provided with test results (cell counts, viability, quality, sterility, etc.) and updates about the sample processing steps and the storage of the cells, tissues, etc.

Storage Method

The samples are stored in blood bags, which are placed inside protective overwrap to maintain sterility and prevent contamination, and finally kept in cassettes. The cassettes are then placed in a quarantine freezer for short-term storage. This allows for quality control checks and release approval before permanent storage. Once the quality checks have been passed, the samples are transferred to a long-term cryogenic storage unit. The cryogenic tanks operate in the vapor phase of cryogenic nitrogen, ensuring a stable ultra-low temperature environment while reducing the risk of contamination.

Licensing & Accreditation

• The facility is licensed by DHA (Dubai Health Authority, Dubai) DHA License No. 4438630 
• The facility is GMP certified by accreditation body: Bureau Veritas

Clinical Experience

Since its inception in 2023, FSG Laboratory has established itself as a clinically driven, state-of-the-art facility specializing in stem cell processing, testing, and biobanking. Our laboratory operates under stringent quality and regulatory standards to ensure the safe, sterile, and reliable handling of biological samples for therapeutic and diagnostic use.

• Cord Blood Banking: FSG Laboratory provides cryopreservation of stem cells from both donated cord blood and private storage for families. The long-term storage of cord blood stem cells can enable stem cell transplants for UAE patients and provides families with reserves for regenerative and personalized medicine.
• Umbilical Cord Tissue Banking: FSG Laboratory provides Isolation and expansion of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from cord tissue. These cells can be used for regenerative and personalized medicine.
• Molecular and Genomic Testing: FSG Laboratory integrates advanced genomic and molecular assays to support comprehensive characterization of stem cells, including karyotyping, HLA typing, and microbial testing.
• Clinical Sample Management: FSG Laboratory provides end-to-end handling of clinical samples, from collection to cryopreservation, with full traceability and data integrity maintained through a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Community Service

FSG Laboratory offers public banking of cord blood donations free of cost, providing families with the opportunity to donate their cord blood and cord tissue samples. We process and preserve these samples, giving hope to patients needing access to life-saving stem cell treatments in the future.

Prices

At FSG, we offer four thoughtfully designed stem cell banking packages, each created to meet your family’s unique needs. From basic preservation to comprehensive combination plans, our solutions ensure you are prepared for a future filled with medical innovation and security for your loved ones. Flexible Payment Plans are available upon request to fit your budget. Please visit our web page on price packages for more information.

Additional Services

FSG Laboratory offers non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS), Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), targeted gene panels, carrier screening, and diagnostic testing for inherited disorders and disease risk assessment.