Cell Culture Bank

As soon as we know of your interest in obtaining cells from the Cell Bank we send you and Initial Enquiry Form.

This is a simple form for you to give us a short description of your project, what type of samples you may need and what methods you will be using them for.

On this form we ask when you will be available for a call.  We then set up the call with you to discuss your needs in more detail.  After this we will send you a Cell Application Form to put down the actual cell requirements as discussed in the phone call.

We endeavour to have these stages completed in a week to 10 days. As soon as we receive the completed Cell Application Form from you we fill out the MTA and DSA forms and send them on to you. For most requests the cells are already banked down and available once the paperwork is completed.

A few requests require bespoke cell preps and the time frame for these will be discussed in the phone call.  Our aim is to have the cells sent out to you within 12 weeks of your initial contact.  If the paperwork is completed quickly we have achieved this in as little as 3 weeks. 

We routinely isolate epithelial, myoepithelial and fibroblast cells from normal, at risk (prophylactic mastectomy tissue from patients with family history), DCIS and tumour tissues as well as cells adjacent to and surrounding the tumour. 

At present, endothelial cells, adipocytes and immune cells are not on our stock list but we have undertaken collaborative requests to add these to our repertoire. 

Our primary cells have been used in a wide range of methodologies for a variety of studies.

A publication list is available and we can put you in touch with other scientists using our cells.

The aim of the Cell Bank is to help researchers move from using cell lines to primary cells for all of their experiments.

The epithelial and myoepithelial cells are isolated using cell specific antibodies and FACS. The fibroblasts grow out from single cell populations and are enriched with passaging.

The epithelial cells routinely grow for 3 passages and the myoepithelial cells for 4 passages. The fibroblasts will grow for at least 6 passages. We also have available the ductal/lobular alveolar and single cell fractions from the original tissue digests which can be used for your own cell isolations.

Yes. We will provide you with comprehensive protocols on how to grow each cell type as well as media recipes and sources of each constituent with catalogue numbers.

We also give continued guidance via email as and when it is needed. In addition, we can supply you with protocols for a variety of experimental methods using our cells, including immunostaining of cells in culture.

The epithelial and myoepithelial cells are isolated using cell specific antibodies and FACS.

The fibroblasts grow out from single cell populations and are enriched with passaging.

The epithelial cells routinely grow for 3 passages and the myoepithelial cells for 4 passages.

The fibroblasts will grow for at least 6 passages.

Not at this time but work is in progress in collaboration with the Sanger Institute to develop breast cancer organoids. Early results are promising. 

Explants are cryopreserved tissue pieces. Each vial contains either a minimum of 2 pieces of 5-10mm x 2mm/vial or a minimum of 10 pieces of 2 x 2mm/vial to allow for multiple treatments. These have been particularly useful for studying the response of breast cancer cells within their microenvironment but are available for all tissue types.

We have a data team who collect and collate a wide range of clinical information and treatment data for all of our patients which we make available for all requests.

Yes.  We have already fulfilled requests for several pharmaceutical companies. We are able to modify our MTA and DSA for a variety of commercial needs.