Find out more about our cell culture bank, the samples we offer and recoverable costs. And take a look at our frequently asked questions.
In this section
We're the only breast tissue bank in the UK offering primary cells isolated from human breast tissues. We also provide information and advice to researchers on how to use these cells.
In addition to the samples and advice from the cell team, you will have access to anonymised patient data for the samples provided to enhance your study.
The cell team can provide you advice on:
- The choice of cells for your studies
- Best practice in culturing different cell types
- Planning experiments and costings for grant applications
1. Samples we offer
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Standard samples - derived and stored in liquid nitrogen
Tissue type: Normal (reduction mammoplasty tissue)
Samples available as cryopreserved vials:
Tissue explants
Passage 1 epithelial cells
Passage 2 and 3 myoepithelial cells
Passage 3 fibroblastsTissue type: Prophylactic mastectomy and DCIS tissue
Samples available as cryopreserved vials:
Tissue explants
Passage 3 fibroblastsTissue type: Cancer-containing tissue
Samples available as cryopreserved vials:
Tissue explants from tumour, surround (>5cm from tumour edge), adjacent (<2cm from tumour edge) and contralateral tissue
Enriched tumour cells*
Passage 3 fibroblasts from tumour tissue
Passage 3 fibroblasts from surround tissue
Passage 3 fibroblasts from adjacent tissue
Passage 3 fibroblasts from contralateral tissue*Enriched tumour cells have limited use due to difficulties in culturing.
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Bespoke samples
Depending on the size of the request, we may require a longer timeframe for samples.
Tissue type: Normal (reduction mammoplasty tissue)
Samples available as cryopreserved vials:
Organoids (ductal/lobular alveolar fraction)
Passage 2 and above epithelial cells
Passage 4 and above myoepithelial cells
Passage 4 and above fibroblastsTissue type: Prophylactic mastectomy and DCIS tissue
Samples available as cryopreserved vials:
Epithelial and myoepithelial cells
Passage 4 and above fibroblastsTissue type: Cancer-containing tissue
Samples available as cryopreserved vials:
Enriched tumour cells from Lymph Node metastasis
Passage 4 and above fibroblasts from tumour tissue
Passage 4 and above fibroblasts from surround tissue
Passage 4 and above fibroblasts from adjacent tissue
Passage 4 and above fibroblasts from contralateral tissue
Epithelial and myoepithelial cells from surround tissue
Epithelial and myoepithelial cells from adjacent tissue
Epithelial and myoepithelial cells from contralateral tissue
Samples are routinely shipped frozen and on dry ice.
If you're interested in other cell types or preparations from the breast e.g. immune cells, please get in touch and we can discuss the possibility of providing these.
Find out further details on the derivation and growth of fibroblasts, normal epithelial and myoepithelial cells.
Common requests from applicants:
- Normal myoepithelial and epithelial cells together in order to study their relationship, often combining in 3D structures
- Normal epithelial, myoepithelial and/or fibroblast cells looking at the possible effects of widely-used chemicals and the possible alterations these can cause
- Normal epithelial and myoepithelial cells to examine the effect of changing specific genes through either Knockout/Knock in genes or the use of CRISPR
- Any of the individual cell types for the levels of specific RNA and protein or for a broader look, through methods such as RNAseq
- Tumour fibroblasts to examine their role in tumour growth and or metastasis and the corresponding surround fibroblasts to serve as a control
- Tumour explants to examine the effect of therapeutic agents on both the tumour cells and their surrounding microenvironment, with corresponding explants from the surround to serve as a control.
- Enriched tumour cells for novel culture methods that may enable growth of tumour cells (samples are being provided for the Human Cancer Models Initiative)
- Enriched tumour cells for assays requiring very limited numbers of cells to look at specific processes or markers.
2. Recoverable costs
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Primary cell type: Passage 1 epithelial and passage 2 or 3 myoepithelial cells from normal (reduction mammoplasty) breast
Recoverable costs per vial -
Cost recovery per vial: £150
Academic (33% discount): £100
BCN funded: n/a -
Primary cell type: Passage 3 fibroblasts (all tissue types)
Recoverable costs per vial -
Cost recovery per vial: £50
Academic (33% discount): £33
BCN funded: n/a -
Primary cell type: Explants - approximately 10 2mm x 2mm pieces per vial (all tissue types)
Recoverable costs per vial -
Cost recovery per vial: £300
Academic (33% discount): £200
BCN funded: n/a -
Primary cell type: Enriched tumour cells
Recoverable costs per vial -
Cost recovery per vial: £200
Academic (33% discount): £130
BCN funded: n/a -
Primary cell type: Organoids - ductal/lobular alveolar fraction from normal breast
Recoverable costs per vial -
Cost recovery per vial: £300
Academic (33% discount): £200
BCN funded: n/a -
Primary cell type: Supernatant cells - single cell fraction from sedimentation of organoids from normal breast
Recoverable costs per vial -
Cost recovery per vial: £100
Academic (33% discount): £66
BCN funded: n/a -
Primary cell type: Other bespoke cell types
Recoverable costs per vial -
Cost recovery per vial: To be decided dependant on cells required
Academic (33% discount): To be decided dependant on cells required
BCN funded: To be decided dependant on cells required -
Services Overhead fee (per request)
Recoverable costs per vial -
Cost recovery per vial: £150
Academic (33% discount): n/a
BCN funded: n/a
*Applicants are responsible for courier costs
Publications that use BCN Cell Bank samples
Download a list of publications that use BCN Cell Bank samples.
3. Frequently asked questions
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What's the time frame of an application and what happens at each stage?
As soon as we know of your interest in obtaining cells from the Cell Bank, we send you an 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'll be using them for.
On this form we ask when you'll be available for a call. We then set up the call with you to discuss your needs in more detail.
After this, we'll 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.
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Which cell types are available and from what tissue types?
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.
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What types of experiments can the primary cells be used for?
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.
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Do you have protocols for growing the cells in culture?
Yes. We'll 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's needed.
In addition, we can supply you with protocols for a variety of experimental methods using our cells, including immunostaining of cells in culture.
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How do you isolate the normal cells and how many passages do they grow for?
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.
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Can you tell us more about explants?
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.
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Is there clinical information available for these patients?
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.
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Are cell bank cells available to industry?
Yes. We've already fulfilled requests for several pharmaceutical companies. We're able to modify our MTA and DSA for a variety of commercial needs.
