Tissue Isolations & Sub-fractions
The UKHTB’s tissue samples are procured with the customer’s research needs in mind. We provide specimens in formats suitable to answer the most important questions in discovery and drug target identification and validation, which will ultimately lead to drug discovery and improved therapeutics. We also offer a flexible customised service that allows the researcher to specify how tissue is prepared and characterised to ensure their research needs are best met.
The UKHTB supplies 90% of the donated tissues in fresh format. This ensures that the tissue’s phenotypic response is maximised. We also have an ever-growing database of frozen tissue samples. For example, we have a portfolio of liver samples from over 180 donors. This enables researchers to select specific samples or customise pooled samples.
Examples of frequently isolated human cells are:
Hepatocytes
Available in suspension or plated in any format or medium at researchers request. We are trialling a range of transport media to optimise the viability of the cell suspensions during shipping.
Cryopreserved Hepatocytes
To optimise the use of human tissue any remaining cells that are of suitable viability that are not sent out fresh to researchers are cryopreserved for future use.
Characterisation data is now available on several batches of cryopreserved hepatocytes suitable for induction and metabolism studies.
Pancreatic Islets
Characterised for response to high glucose and glucose+theophylline within 24 hours of isolation.
Pre-adipocytes
Characterized for differentiation prior to despatch.
Lung Macrophages and Type II Cells
Available in suspension or plated in any format or medium at researchers request.
Human Renal Proximal Tubules
Available in suspension or plated in any format or medium at researchers request. Characterised for alkaline phosphatase, hexakinase and actin.
We are also currently optimising isolation of lung epithelial cells and hepatic stellate cells.
Availability of fresh isolated cell preparations is subject to the availability of fresh tissue.
Some cells are also available cryopreserved, these include:
Pre-adipocytes Characterised for attachment, proliferation and differentiation.
Renal Proximal Tubules Characterised for alkaline phosphatase, hexakinase and actin.
Examples of available Cellular Subfractions from human cells are:
Liver Subcellular Fractions: Microsomes, S9 fraction and cytosol fraction, available from single donors (pooled samples prepared to order).
Lung Subcellular Fractions: Microsomes, S9 fraction and cytosol fraction, available from single donors or pooled, samples made to order.
Subcellular Fractions from other tissues or pooled samples from several or specific donors can be prepared on request.
