Tissue Culture
Skin biopsy and post mortem skin samples
Preferred specimen is a 2 to 3mm sample of full thickness skin in
Skin Biopsy Medium. Other suitable media such as Viral Transport
Media or Normal Saline may be used.
Skin Fibroblasts in Culture
One or two 25cm2 flasks of cells at a low passage number
(preferably) and at about 70 to 80% confluence.
Flasks should be completely filled with media for transport and
caps sealed with Parafilm.
Cells for mitochondrial enzymology should preferably be grown in
media containing 50ug/ml Uridine and 1mM pyruvate.
Blood for EBV transformation of lymphocytes or lymphocyte
storage
8 to 10mls of venous blood with either Heparin or EDTA as
anticoagulant.
Cultures of Lymphoblasts
A tube or flask of cells is required containing several million
cells.
Amniotic and Chorionic Villus Cultures
These samples are treated in the same way as fibroblast cultures
but using media designed for the optimum growth of amniocytes
(Amniomax C100).
All of these specimens should never be frozen without
cryoprotectant as this kills the cells and makes culture
impossible.
It is also important if transporting these samples to pack them
completely separate from any frozen samples ie in a separate
container.
Skin biopsy, post mortem skin and blood samples
Specimens should be kept at 4 to 8oC if possible or otherwise at
room temperature.
Cultured cells should be sent at room temperature and must not be
allowed to freeze.
OTHER INFORMATION NEEDED FOR Patient name, medical record number,
date of birth, date of sample, delay between death and collection
if relevant. Billing address and where cells need to be sent for
diagnostic purposes.
For further information and user fees
Mrs Lucy Perez
T +61 3 8341 6408
T +61 3 8341 6230
F +61 3 8341 6212
E TissueCulture@mcri.edu.au