The facility operates under Biosafety Level Two procedures and is maintained mycoplasma-free. It is fully equipped for small and large-scale production of mammalian and insect cells expressing cloned genes or antibodies. Services provided to Center Investigators include basic training in Biosafety Level Two procedures and aseptic techniques and mycoplasma testing program. Serum lot testing is also performed on Investigator-provided cell lines, on request. This core facility provides essential services to Investigator in several Research Cores including Enzymatic Oxidation and Conjugation, Oxidative Damage, DNA Damage and Mutagenesis, and Regulation of Gene Expression.
Some Investigators utilize cultured cells as experimental models.
Others use cultured cells to generate specific reagents for biochemical studies, such as recombinant proteins and antibodies, or as sources of unidentified endogenous factors involved in transcriptional and enzymatic processes. The Cell Biology Core facilities are indispensable to most Center Investigators because the specialized equipment required to culture eukaryotic cells is expensive to purchase and maintain and has relatively large space requirements. Also, extensive experience is required to maintain a highly functional and clean facility and to train young investigators in basic cell culture techniques. During the calendar year 2000 it was possible to consolidate some operations in the Core Facility, upon the advice of the External Advisory Group, and to reduce the number of personnel involved in daily operations. The following list provides examples of project objectives facilitated by Cell Biology Core resources.