The Wellcome Trust has funded a mammalian cell bank (a collection of cell cultures) at St George's, University of London, in association with the research group of Dot Bennett and Elena Sviderskaya in the Cell Biology Section, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute. The bank specialises in mouse melanocyte and melanoblast lines carrying a variety of pigmentary mutations. Other cell types include melanoma cell lines, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, mammary epithelial cells, myoblasts, and immortal human melanocytes.
The cell bank freely supplies cells to researchers although we have to charge a fee that partially covers lab costs. From 10th August 2023, this is £525 (British pounds) per vial per cell line to non-commercial users, or £625 for commercial users, plus transport expenses. However, for researchers with very limited finances we can consider waiving the charges, and there is no charge to our collaborators.
To enquire about obtaining a cell line, or for any other information not available in these pages, please contact the Manager, Philip Goff, or the Director, Dr Elena Sviderskaya. Time permitting, they are prepared to consider collaborative projects, including establishment of new mouse melanocyte or melanoblast lines from genotypes of interest.