FAQ

Stem cells are the body’s foundational cells — they can divide and transform into specialized cells, such as blood, muscle, or nerve cells. Their regenerative and healing potential is already used in treating over 80 serious diseases, including leukemia, sickle cell anemia, immune deficiencies, and certain cancers. They also show growing promise in regenerative medicine for conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, and diabetes.

These are all rich biological sources of stem cells, each with different compositions, functions, and therapeutic potential:

Cord Blood

• Source: Blood from the umbilical cord.
• Stem Cell Types: Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) — used in transplants to regenerate blood and immune systems.
• Uses: Treatment of blood cancers, genetic blood disorders, and immune diseases.
• Advantages: High proliferation, safe to collect, and less likely to cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Cord Tissue

• Source: Wharton’s Jelly (gel-like substance in the umbilical cord).
• Stem Cell Types: Mainly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), but may also contain unrestricted somatic, vascular endothelial, and perivascular stem cells.
• Uses: Regenerative medicine, orthopedic therapies, autoimmune diseases, and tissue repair.
• Advantages: MSCs can differentiate into bone, cartilage, and fat cells, and help modulate immune responses.

Placenta

• Source: Full placenta including the amnion, chorion, and decidua (maternal side).
• Stem Cell Types: Amniotic Epithelial Cells (AECs), Amniotic MSCs (AMSCs), and Chorionic MSCs.
• Uses: Wound healing, ophthalmology (corneal healing), gynecology, and immunotherapy.
• Advantages: Rich mix of fetal and maternal cells; some types show greater expansion potential than adult stem cells.

Amnion

• Source: Inner membrane of the placenta (amniotic membrane).
• Stem Cell Types: AECs and AMSCs.
• Uses: Tissue engineering, wound and corneal healing, vascular tissue regeneration.
• Advantages: Low immunogenicity and rich in growth factors; no ethical concerns, as it’s derived from a discarded tissue.

Key Differences:

• Composition: Cord tissue = mostly fetal MSCs; placenta = both maternal and fetal cell types.
• Applications: Cord tissue = orthopedic and regenerative; placenta = healing and immune-related therapies.
• Immunology: Amniotic cells have low rejection rates, making them promising for allogeneic (non-self) applications.

Storing cord blood, cord tissue, placenta, and amnion ensures the broadest access to multiple types of stem cells, each suited to different medical conditions. This comprehensive approach maximizes your child’s and family’s future therapeutic options, especially in the growing field of regenerative and personalized medicine.

No. If you have a Caesarean the collection can take place after the delivery of the placenta, as it would with a natural birth. Either birthing scenario is fine for the collection of cord blood and cord tissue stem cells.

SmartMax™ is our proprietary stem cell processing method developed to enhance stem cell yield and preserve sample quality. By removing unnecessary components like red blood cells and plasma, SmartMax™ concentrates the most valuable cells — particularly hematopoietic stem cells — into a smaller volume. This ensures that the sample is more viable and effective for future treatments.

All collected samples undergo rigorous quality checks before being accepted for storage. These include maternal infectious disease screening, sterility testing, and cellular analysis such as Total Nucleated Cell (TNC) and CD34+ stem cell counts. These assessments ensure each sample meets the highest medical and scientific standards.

If any contamination or quality issue is detected, the client is notified immediately. In cases where the sample cannot be used for medical purposes, it will not be stored, and the full storage fee will not be applied.

Volume reduction allows us to concentrate the stem cell-rich portion by removing excess red blood cells and plasma. This makes cryopreservation more efficient and improves the success rate of future treatments, as higher cell concentration is often required for transplant or therapeutic use.

Cord tissue, particularly Wharton’s Jelly, is processed under sterile laboratory conditions to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The tissue is sectioned into small fragments and preserved in multiple cryovials. These vials are then cryopreserved at ultra-low temperatures using controlled-rate freezing. This method allows for future expansion and therapeutic use of MSCs across various regenerative applications.

Placental tissue, especially the chorionic villi, is processed by carefully isolating and preparing the stem-cell-rich portions. After processing, the material is divided and stored in multiple cryopreserved vials. This technique allows for segmented storage, meaning that small portions can be thawed for use as needed, preserving the rest of the sample for future therapies.

The amnion, the inner membrane of the placenta, is rich in regenerative and immunomodulatory stem cells. It is carefully separated, cleaned, and processed under sterile conditions. The processed amnion is then stored in multiple cryopreserved vials, which ensures long-term preservation and the ability to use partial samples over time, depending on future medical needs.

No. If you have a Caesarean the collection can take place after the delivery of the placenta, as it would with a natural birth. Either birthing scenario is fine for the collection of cord blood and cord tissue stem cells.

No. Cord blood and tissue collection is painless, convenient, and safe for both mother and new-born. The cord blood and tissue samples are collected after your baby is born and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. The samples collected are normally discarded after birth as medical waste.

No additional costs will be incurred for the transportation of the sample at any time for therapeutic use.

If an HLA test is required, the cost of a low-resolution test is covered. If clinical teams require high-resolution testing, there may be an extra cost.

Delayed cord clamping is a birth practice in which the umbilical cord is not clamped or cut until after pulsations have ceased, or until after a given period of time has elapsed. It has been suggested that a delay of 1-2 minutes may typically leave sufficient cord blood to be stored but before making a decision, we encourage you to research WHO, NICE and RCOG guidelines so that you can make a fully informed decision about delayed clamping and what is best for you and your baby.

Delayed cord clamping provides benefits to your baby, including a normal healthy blood volume, good oxygenation and heart rate for the transition to life outside of the womb. Additionally, a higher haemoglobin level with improved iron stores in early life could potentially have a favourable effect on development outcomes, in infants for the first few months post-birth.

Yes, it is possible to delay cord clamping and also collect cord blood provided there is sufficient blood remaining in the umbilical cord while also allowing some of the blood to flow to the baby. It has been suggested that a delay of 1-2 minutes may typically leave sufficient cord blood to be stored, however choosing to delay and for how long is a matter for you to decide in dialogue with your healthcare professionals. There is no way of predicting the volume of cord blood that will remain after a delay in clamping.

Read more about delayed cord clamping & umbilical cord blood banking here.

References:

Parents Guide To Cord Blood Foundation

http://parentsguidecordblood.org/faqs/what-is-delayed-cord-clamping

WHO Data Guideline: delayed umbilical cord clamping for improved maternal and infant health and nutrition outcomes.

http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/148793/9789241508209_eng.pdf

RCOG Clamping Of Umbilical Cord and Placental Transfusion – Scientific Impact Paper (No 14)

https://www-temp.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/scientific-impact-papers/clamping-of-the-umbilical-cord-and-placental-transfusion-scientific-impact-paper-no-14/

https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/12/delayed-umbilical-cord-clamping-after-birth#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20the%20World%20Health,not%20require%20positive%20pressure%20ventilation:

http://cms.kcn.unima.mw:8002/moodle/downloads/Department%20of%20Maternal%20&%20Child%20Health/who%20videos/apps.who.int/rhl/pregnancy_childbirth/childbirth/3rd_stage/cd004074_abalose_com/en/index.html

The majority of maternity hospitals allow Smart Cells to perform this service for you. If you would like to discuss your individual hospital, then please contact Smart Cells Team.

The collection process is quick and painless, performed immediately after birth, taking only a few minutes.

No, the collection is safe and does not pose any risk to either the mother or the baby.

The collection is simple, painless, and does not interfere with the birth process. It is performed immediately after the baby’s birth, following all medical and safety protocols.

When deciding what to do with your baby’s umbilical cord blood and related tissues, you have two main options:

1. Private Storage with Smart Cells ME

At Smart Cells ME, we offer private stem cell banking services — meaning your baby’s stem cells are stored exclusively for your family’s future use. This is a paid service and ensures that the samples are available should you ever need them.

We offer three storage packages:

• Standard Package – Includes Cord Blood and Cord Tissue (Wharton’s Jelly)
• Premium Package – Includes Cord Blood, Cord Tissue, and Placenta
• Ultimate Package – Includes Cord Blood, Cord Tissue, Placenta, and Amnion

All samples are stored for 30 years, with options to extend the storage period upon request.

2. Discarding as Medical Waste

If no action is taken at birth, the umbilical cord, placenta, and other related tissues are discarded as medical waste — resulting in the permanent loss of valuable stem cells.

It is recommended to make your decision during early to mid-pregnancy, ideally before 34 weeks gestation. This allows enough time for us to prepare and ship your collection kit, which is typically sent out around 6 weeks before your due date.

However, if you decide later in your pregnancy, don’t worry — we can still help.
Smart Cells ME is able to dispatch your collection kit within 24 hours. Simply reach out to our team, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request promptly.

Yes, the collection can be performed in both vaginal and caesarean births.

In the rare event that the collection is not successful, Smart Cells will inform the family and discuss possible alternatives or next steps.

Collection must be performed by a trained and licensed healthcare professional. This could be a private obstetrician or midwife or an assigned phlebotomist.

You can either wait for the placenta to deliver naturally or the delivery may be induced via an injection. Either method does not prevent Smart Cells from collecting your sample.

Yes, Smart Cells ME offers the option to store all four types of samples — cord blood, cord tissue (Wharton’s Jelly), placenta, and amnion. This comprehensive storage maximises the therapeutic potential and future treatment possibilities for your family.

We provide flexible packages to suit your needs, including:

• Standard Package – Cord Blood & Cord Tissue
• Premium Package – Cord Blood, Cord Tissue & Placenta
• Ultimate Package – Cord Blood, Cord Tissue, Placenta & Amnion

Cord blood is rich in haematopoietic stem cells, which are primarily used to treat blood and immune system diseases. It also contains some mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that have applications in regenerative medicine.

Cord tissue (Wharton’s Jelly) is a particularly rich source of mesenchymal stem cells, making it especially valuable for regenerative medicine therapies.

Placenta tissue contains a high concentration of various stem cells, including MSCs and other progenitor cells, offering additional potential for regenerative and therapeutic applications.

Amnion, part of the amniotic membrane, is also rich in stem cells and growth factors, making it useful for advanced regenerative treatments and healing support.

Together, storing these tissues provides a broader range of stem cells that may enhance future treatment options.

Smart Cells appoints a trusted courier who will transport the sample in the correct conditions required so that the sample does not deteriorate during transportation.

The Smart Cells stem cell collection kits include a Nano-Cool engine, which keeps the samples at an acceptable temperature for 72 hours, to allow plenty of time for you to contact us to arrange your kit collection and for transit back to our laboratory for processing and storage.

Smart Cells follow strict protocols during the collection, processing, and storage of samples, ensuring their viability and quality for future use.

The Smart Cells Laboratory uses state-of-the-art equipment designed to process and store cord blood as quickly and optimally as possible. All processing procedures are undertaken in a sterile, controlled environment by specially trained technical staff, using the industry standard system for cord blood processing. You can read more about our laboratory here: link

Samples are regularly tested and validated for sterility and to ensure required stem cell counts and viable cell recovery. We run a number of tests during the processing. TNC stands for Total Nucleated Cells which are the white blood cells within a cord blood sample. Smart Cells count these cells as this is an important measurement of the success of the collection in terms of cell numbers. Within the TNC cell fraction, the Smart Cells team look at numbers of CD34 positive cells. This is a critical measurement as CD34 is a marker of stem cells. Both TNC and CD34 levels in a cord blood sample are taken into account by clinical teams when deciding if there are sufficient stem cells for treatment.

We undertake regular auditing of cord blood yields following processing and again after freezing and thawing processed cells. It is well recognised clinically that both the Total Nucleated Cell Count (TNC) and viable CD34+ stem cell doses in a cord blood unit following thawing for use are critical to successful clinical outcome.

Smart Cells also operate a clean room facility, adhering to GLP (good laboratory practice) and GMP (good manufacturing practice) practices. Also, Smart Cells have a cleaning SOP that all staff must follow to reduce and eliminate contaminants. The clean room is cleaned on daily basis, and benches and equipment cleaned in between samples. Laboratory technicians wear sterile coverall, sterile gloves, facemask, before they start processing samples. All consumables and samples packaging are sprayed cleaned with IPA before entering the cleanroom facility.

Smart Cells strictly adheres to data protection laws, ensuring that all personal and medical information is kept confidential and used solely for the purposes for which it was collected.

The samples are stored in Smart Cells own laboratory, located in Dubai Healthcare City, ensuring greater control and security in the process, as well as granting easy access to be able to transport samples anywhere in the world quickly.

At Smart Cells ME, we are proud to hold accreditation from the AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies), reflecting our commitment to the highest international standards in cord blood and tissue banking.

We are also fully licensed and approved by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCC), and the UAE National Stem Cells Committee, ensuring compliance with all local regulatory and ethical frameworks governing stem cell services in the region.

Smart Cells holds DHA and DHCC licenses covering procurement, testing, processing, storage, import, release, and export of cord blood cells and tissue. We are proud to be certified by AABB for cellular starting materials, ensuring that our laboratory meets the highest international standards for quality and safety in stem cell processing.

Smart Cells takes ongoing Quality Assurance very seriously, with a rigorous programme of validating and auditing all critical practices and procedures. Fully trained and experienced staff operate according to validated procedures. The Smart Cells laboratory technical team are educated to degree and postgraduate degree level in relevant biomedical sciences and use globally recognised techniques and technologies in the state-of-the-art processing facility.

The Smart Cells approach to ongoing Quality Assurance, regulatory compliance, integrity, and transparency is supported and overseen by the Medical Director, Head of Laboratory Operations, and Quality Officer.

The collection kit should be kept at a controlled temperature and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible to ensure the viability of the samples.

Smart Cells appoints a trusted courier to transport the sample from the place of birth to the laboratory and storage facility. All samples are transported in temperature controlled kit boxes. Details of how to pack the sample to ensure safe transportation and delivery are included in your collection kit and your phlebotomist or collecting Consultant will take care of this.

If you ever need the sample for therapy, Smart Cells release and ship, anywhere in the world, completely free of charge. The sample will be shipped in a constant temperature monitored frozen state in a special container designed for the purpose of international cell shipment. Cord blood and tissue can travel anywhere in the world with no loss of viability as it travels frozen. It is only thawed at the clinic where it will be used immediately prior to infusion. If you are considering moving the samples internationally for storage purposes only, although not recommended, samples can be transferred to another specialised laboratory in the new country of residence, ensuring continuity of cryopreservation. Transfer costs are not included.

No, samples are for the sole use of the baby or family members, and any use for research requires explicit parental consent.

You will be contacted to decide whether you wish to continue the cryopreservation and extend the storage period.

Low cell count(s), low cord blood volume and certain microbiological or viral contaminants.

No, the cells are exclusively for the use of the baby or family members, with the authorisation of the parents or guardians.

It is recommended to preserve both to increase therapeutic possibilities.

Cord blood contains valuable hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that can be used to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including blood disorders, immune system disorders and certain cancers. The main use to date has been in the treatment of blood and bone marrow disorders including malignant diseases such as leukaemia and non-malignant conditions such as sickle cell disease. These stem cells are collected immediately after birth and stored in a special facility for potential future use.

There are over 85 conditions where a cord blood stem cell transplant can be used, including:

• Blood cancers e.g. Leukaemia & Lymphoma
• Blood disorders e.g. Sickle Cell Disease & Thalassemia
• Metabolic disorders e.g. Krabbe Disease
• Immune conditions e.g. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
• Solid tumours e.g. Neuroblastoma or Retinoblastoma

Cord tissue refers to the connective tissue and so-called “Wharton’s jelly” that surrounds the blood vessels in the umbilical cord. It contains a type of stem cell, called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are also found in the cord blood but they are particularly numerous within the Wharton’s jelly. These cells have the potential to become a variety of different cell types, including bone, cartilage and muscle cells meaning they can be used to treat or regenerate diseased or injured tissue. More importantly, it has been shown that they can assist with the body’s healing process at the site of damage as they possess anti-inflammatory abilities and can also damp down over active immune responses.

Here are some examples of the many conditions where cord tissue stem cells are currently being used in clinical trials:

• Lupus
• Diabetes
• Covid-19
• Chronic autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease & Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sports injuries e.g. cartilage, ligament and bone repair
• Osteoarthritis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Liver disease
• Skin injuries e.g. burn treatments, wound treatments and skin grafts
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Stroke
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Eye treatments
• Autism

We are happy to offer tours of our laboratory. However, due to regulations, access to the processing room is restricted. Our lab manager and team will guide you through the facility, explain each procedure, and answer any questions you may have.

If you choose to discontinue the service, you can opt to donate the samples to a public bank, transfer them to another private bank, or authorise their disposal, following all legal and ethical guidelines.

Your child’s stem cells are stored in a secure facility and maintained at -196.5 degrees centigrade. The process is known as Cryopreservation, the cells are essentially frozen and preserved in the state of ‘suspended animation’. The process uses the vapour of liquid nitrogen, which means the storage of samples are not dependent on electricity supply, therefore they are not at risk in a power outage. Numerous surveillance and monitoring processes are in place to keep the samples safe.

The number of times a sample can be used depends on several factors, including the quality of the sample, the number of cells collected and stored at birth, the patient’s weight, and technical advancements. This decision will always depend on the medical team’s assessment at the time of treatment. However, you are not necessarily limited to using a sample for a single infusion. If units are supplied to suitably experienced transplant centres it is possible for a bag of cord blood to be thawed, washed, cell numbers counted and a portion used with the rest being aliquoted and re-frozen.

At Duke University Medical Center, USA, this process has been undertaken with some SCI units and patients have been able to have several sequential treatment episodes. You can find out more information on how the samples are stored here: https://www.smartcells.ae/bags-v-vials/

Studies indicate that cells can be stored indefinitely, maintaining their viability and therapeutic potential for many years. The most recent study confirmed the viability of these cells for at least 29 years.

There is no evidence of deterioration of cells cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Studies show they maintain their original characteristics for at least 25 years.

The cells are cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, keeping them in a latent state.

The specific clinical situation influences the choice of stem cells used and is not always appropriate to use cord blood. The success rate and probability of use cord blood vs bone marrow, depends on many complex clinical factors, the quality of the cord blood or bone marrow and the cell numbers stored.

Smart Cells have released 23 samples and the Famicord group have released over 7000.

Haematopoietic stem cells are primarily used to treat blood/bone marrow  and immune system diseases, while mesenchymal stem cells are used in regenerative therapies due to their ability to develop into other cell types but much more importantly, they  produce key proteins that can damp down over active immune responses, have anti-inflammatory properties and can help enhance healing at the site of tissue damage.

You can find more detailed information on the current and potential uses of cord blood and cord tissue stem cells here: https://www.smartcells.com/stem-cells/why-store-stem-cells/

Yes, research is constantly evolving, and umbilical cord stem cells have great potential for future therapies and medical applications.

In congenital diseases, autologous use is not advisable due to the defective gene. For other diseases, healthy stem cells can be successfully used.

– Umbilical cord stem cells can treat over 80 diseases, including but not limited to leukaemia, lymphoma, immunological disorders and various non-cancerous disorders such as orthopaedic, neurological, cardiac conditions.

Cord blood transplantation is a clinically effective form of treatment for many patients with cancer and blood diseases who need a stem cell transplant.  In the last decade, cord blood has become a relevant source of cells in regenerative medicine.

While there is no definitive consensus on exactly how long frozen cord blood can be stored scientists and clinicians worldwide are of the opinion that if cryopreserved and stored properly, then storage can be for decades or more.  Smart Cells use state of the art processing, cryopreservation, and 24/7 monitored storage technologies designed to optimise the viability of stem cells. In vapour phase nitrogen temperatures below -170 degrees Celsius, all metabolic activities in cells are suspended, meaning there should be no deterioration. The majority of public and private banks worldwide use similar tried and tested technologies.

Key work undertaken by Professor Hal Broxmeyer, a distinguished world leader in the field of cord blood therapeutics has demonstrated efficient cell recovery after storage times of 5, 10, 15, 23.5 and most recently  27 years after cells were cryopreserved (1, 2, 3).

Cord blood storage has been available for  just over 3 decades, although in the early years not many units were being stored and used.  It is therefore not possible to look at empirical data beyond that time point, however Professor Broxmeyer’s team have confirmed that long-term cryopreservation for at least 27 years does not significantly alter the numbers and function of the critical haematopoietic (blood making) stem cells found in cord blood.

Realistically, it is in the last 20 years approximately that transplantation using cord blood has become a fully accepted therapeutic option and experts in the field have confidence that ongoing cord blood banking and use should continue as there are well worked out therapeutic strategies in place in addition to refinements and innovations being developed (4, 5, 6).

The Anthony Nolan Cord Blood Bank FAQs states:  “How long will you store my baby’s cord blood?

We’ll store it until someone needs it for a transplant (or for research if there aren’t enough stem cells to use for a transplant). We can store indefinitely, frozen in cryogenic tanks at temperatures of around -190^oC” (7).

At Smart Cells, six years is the longest interval between storage and thawing of frozen cord blood cells that were given to a patient as a transplant which was satisfactory in terms of cell recovery and engraftment. No units older than this have yet been requested.

As part of Smart Cells’ Quality Assurance programme and regulatory compliance, the team regularly undertake validation studies to ensure that the processing, freezing, and storage of cord blood is efficient and that total nucleated and viable CD34+ stem cell recoveries are satisfactory after thawing.Provided procedures to process, store, and thaw stem cells are of a high standard, the main factor that can potentially affect the ultimate post-thaw recovery is the original quality of the cord blood sample itself. Those with initial low viability may not withstand the thawing process in the same way as a more robust product.

The tested timeframe will likely change and be extended as time goes on and clinical studies demonstrate conclusively that cord blood stem cells are viable after long-term frozen storage beyond 30 or more years. Clinical proof will require treating of patients with cord blood units that have been in storage for decades but for now, Smart Cells’ advice aligns with current worldwide expert opinion.

1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3100689/

2) https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(23)00436-6?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666379123004366%3Fshowall%3Dtrue 

3) https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/how-long-can-cord-blood-be-stored

4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5442723/

5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7567024/

6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9985112/

7) https://www.anthonynolan.org/help-save-a-life/donate-your-umbilical- cord/umbilical-cord-faqs

Most international cord blood banks, both public and private, process cord blood to reduce levels of the plasma and the red cells, and cryo-preserve the remaining buffy coat portion which contains mononuclear cells. This mononuclear cell fraction contains the critical CD34 positive stem cells. It is valid for cord blood storage banks to use volume reduction techniques as such units are clinically preferable to whole blood, red cell replete products. This is based on large cohorts of international data from respected and accredited transplant centres who use cord blood regularly as a therapeutic tool. The plasma and red cells in cord blood are not deemed to be useful clinically. By reducing the volume of the sample, while retaining the critical stem cells, it is possible to minimise the volume of cryoprotectant solution required in the freezing process. The cryoprotectant contains a substance called DMSO that can cause reactions in patients so it is sensible to reduce the volume as much as possible.

The reduction of red blood cell content is very important as it is well recognised that red blood cells burst or lyse during the freezing process. This results in release of free haemoglobin and red cell debris which can cause complications to patients at the time of infusion.

There are whole cord blood units in-store that was mostly banked before preference for volume reduction became a factor and some of these are used for transplantation if there is no better match available in the volume-reduced format. Under these circumstances, key worldwide organisations which issue standards of practice recommend washing the units to remove lysed red blood cell material to avoid clinical complications. However, this can result in the loss of some stem cells.

Information taken from the following sources:

The Joint Accreditation Committee-ISCT (Europe) & EBMT (JACIE) : The Hematopoietic Cellular Therapy Accreditation Manual 6th Edition which accompanies the FACT-JACIE International Standards for Hematopoietic Cellular Therapy Product Collection, Processing, and Administration.

The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), ( USA)

Transfusion. 2012 Jan; 52(1): 207–208

The Circular of Information for the use of cellular therapy products (AABB publication) http://www.aabb.org/aabbcct/coi/Pages/default.aspx
Ballen et al. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2015 Apr; 21(4): 688–695.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4359657/#!po=0.617284

Stem cells may be used in mainstream transplantation to help treat blood and bone marrow cancers or diseases such as Thalassaemia or sickle cell disease. If the cells being used are autologouse (from the individual for their own use), they are able to restore the blood and immune systems following chemotherapy used to treat the disease. If the transplant is allogeneic (from one sibling to another), not only can the cells restore the blood and immune systems, but they may play a role in cancer destruction too.

Stem cells may also be used in regenerative medicine to help repair or replace damaged or diseased tissues or cells.  These evolving regenerative applications are fairly recent and are typically being undertaken as part of research or clinical trials

TNC stands for Total Nucleated Cells which are the white blood cells within a cord blood sample. Smart Cells count these cells as this is an important measurement of the success of the collection in terms of cell numbers. Within the TNC cell fraction, the Smart Cells team look at numbers of CD34 positive cells. This is a critical measurement as CD34 is a marker of stem cells.  Both TNC and CD34 levels in a cord blood sample are taken into account by clinical teams when deciding if there are sufficient stem cells for treatment.

How much blood and stem cells does a typical umbilical cord contain?

The median size of cord blood collections in family banks is 40-50mL or two ounces. The number of Total Nucleated Cells (TNCs) and CD34 positive stem cells can vary from cord to cord regardless of volume but generally larger volumes contain more TNCs and CD34 positive cells. Smart Cells will always inform you about the volume of your sample and the cell counts.

No. After cord blood and/or tissue is collected at birth, the samples are delivered, processed, and stored in the Smart Cells laboratory. If you ever need the cord blood or tissue for therapy, the product will be shipped in a constant temperature monitored frozen state in a special container designed for the purpose of international cell shipment. Cord blood can travel anywhere in the world with no loss of viability because it travels frozen. It is only thawed at the clinic where it will be used immediately prior to infusion. Smart Cells have successfully shipped samples to UK, Europe, USA, India, and the Far East.

No, each twin needs an individual collection kit due to small differences in mitochondrial DNA. Additionally, each sibling should have their own cells available to maximise treatment opportunities.

Yes, it can be done at the time of processing or later by arrangement, using a segment separated from the main sample. Not all compatibility tests are the same so the testing required must be decided by a clinician and depending on the type of test, there may an additional cost incurred. Typically, compatibility tests are only undertaken at the time of a proposed transplant. The Smart Cells Team can advise in individual cases.

 “HLA” is short for Human Leukocyte Antigens, which are proteins in the immune system that determine whether a patient will react against a donor transplant or if the donor transplant cells will react against the recipient. A very good basic tutorial about HLA types is on the Stanford Website, and the national Be The Match program (aka NMDP) has more info on the role of HLA type in transplants of stem cells from bone marrow or cord blood.

The HLA type of cord blood is always assessed by public banks at the time of storing cells, and then the type is listed on a registry that can be searched  for patients worldwide who need  a transplant. Family/private banks typically do not measure the HLA type at the time of banking, as the actual test specification varies depending on the proposed clinical use and the testing can always be checked later using a testing segment of the stored cells.

In the case of sibling transplantation, individuals have 25 per cent chance of having a sibling who is HLA matched.

All the reasons you banked for the first child are still valid for additional children.

1. If you want your baby to have the option of using his/her own cells, then you need to bank them.
2. If you are banking to cover siblings, then the ability to use cord blood from one child for another depends on whether they have matching HLA types. Two full siblings have a 25 per cent chance of being a perfect match, a 50 per cent chance of being a half match, and a 25 per cent chance of not matching at all. For a cord blood transplant, donor and patient must match at least 4 out of 6 HLA types. The more siblings with banked cord blood, the more chance that they cover each other for possible transplants or other therapies for which sibling stem cells are accepted.

References: Odds of sibling match are based on haplotype inheritance: that the child will receive 3 HLA types as a group from each parent.

Source: Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood

Yes.

• A child’s cord blood is a 100% match for themselves.
• There is a 75% chance of partial or full compatibility with siblings, and a 25% chance of a perfect sibling match.
• For parents, haploidentical (half-matching) transplants are possible. These have been performed successfully, although they come with clinical complexities.
• Family banking significantly increases the chances of finding a compatible donor within the family.

Yes — if HLA matching is favorable. Mesenchymal stem cells (from tissue and placenta) also have immune-modulating properties and lower rejection risk, making them usable even with less stringent matches.

Absolutely.

• Each child’s sample is unique.
• Siblings have only a 25% chance of being a perfect match.
• Having samples from multiple children increases the likelihood that a family member will have access to a usable stem cell match if needed.
• For certain therapies, autologous (self) use is required — meaning the child must have their own stored cells.

Until the child turns 18, the parents or legal guardians hold full ownership and decision rights.
After 18, ownership transfers to the child, who can then authorize usage, withdrawal, or continuation of storage independently.

Yes, we offer various payment options to facilitate access to its services.

The cost varies with the chosen service and technology used. Please consult our pricing page for more information.

Smart Cells offer all customers the opportunity to spread the final balance on a payment plan. Customers can spread costs over 3, 6 or 12 months and there are no additional fees to do this.

No additional costs will be incurred for the transportation of the sample at any time for therapeutic use. Smart Cells cover the costs of both release and shipment of the samples anywhere in the world should they be required.

Smart Cells ME is licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and operates under the strict regulatory framework established for stem cell banks in the United Arab Emirates. As part of these regulations, all licensed stem cell banks are required to submit a AED 10 million bank guarantee to DHA, which serves as a financial safeguard to ensure continuity of service and protection of stored samples in any unforeseen circumstances.

In addition, Smart Cells is part of the FamiCord Group, the largest stem cell banking group in Europe, and is publicly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This makes us the only stem cell bank offering storage in the Middle East that is traded on an international stock market—a testament to our financial transparency, long-term stability, and global accountability.

Our clients benefit from the assurance that comes with partnering with a trusted, well-regulated, and financially secure institution.

Being listed on a stock exchange means that Smart Cells and the FamiCord Group are held to high standards of financial reporting, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. It reflects our long-term commitment to ethical business practices and operational transparency — giving families peace of mind when choosing us to safeguard their child’s stem cells.

Smart Cells was founded in 2000 and has been collecting samples ever since.

Yes, if you refer a friend, and if they bank with us, both you and your friend will receive a AED500 voucher. There is no limit on how many referrals you can make. T&Cs apply.
Refer a friend NOW!!

When choosing a stem cell banking provider, it’s essential to evaluate the following key factors to ensure your child’s stem cells are in safe and expert hands:

Why Choose Smart Cells ME & FamiCord Group?