About Us

The Animal Cell Culture Facility was established in 1970 and was expanded in 1973 upon receipt of a National Cancer Institute Program Project Grant. A Connecticut Department of Education Center for Excellence Grant made further expansion possible with the creation of the University of Connecticut’s Biotechnology Center in 1986. Dr. Margaret Sekellick from the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology serves as Facility Head.

Services and Instrumentation

The Cell Culture Facility supports research by providing materials, supplies, services, and consultations for scientists who use in vitro animal cell culture as a research tool. Services include:

• Maintenance of established cell lines of mammalian, avian, fish, and insect origin in either monolayer or suspension culture
• Preparation and maintenance of cell cultures for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen
• Preparation and testing of cell culture media, sera, and specialized reagents
• Preparation of primary cultures of animal origin
• Cell Cloning: Clonogenic Assays
• Maintenance of hybridomas for monoclonal antibody production
• Assistance with DNA transfection procedures
• Mycoplasma testing

The Facility supplies small quantities of tissue culture grade plasticware for pilot experiments or emergency use. A Nikon Fluorescent Microscope is available with digital camera capabilities suitable for viewing Hoechst, rhodamine, and fluorescein stained cells.

Common Reagents

• Media: DME, MEM, RPMI
• PBS
• HEPES
• Trypsin/EDTA
• Penicillin/Streptomycin
• Calf Serum
• Fetal Bovine Serum
• Special Formulations Prepared Upon Request

All media are tested for sterility.

Training Education

Facility staff can provide instruction in basic aspects of animal cell culture and aseptic technique. Specialized training is also available for techniques covering the full range of cell culture, including:

• Cell preservation
• Mycoplasma detection
• Cell cloning
• Hybridoma production
• DNA transfection
• Toxicity testing
• Mass cell culture using microcarriers, suspension, roller or hollow fiber procedures
  

Cost for Services

Current pricing for materials and services can be found on the Animal Cell Culture Facility webpage of the Biotechnology/Bioservices website: http://www.biotech.uconn.edu/accf/pdf/accf-feeschedule.pdf.
For all other pricing information, contact the Facility Scientist.

All current rates are subject to periodic review and change.