CellBank Australia sizing up cell line use in R&D

National cell line repository CellBank Australia is calling for responses to a survey into the use of cell lines and cell culture in Australian and New Zealand research.

CellBank Australia General Manager Mark Shannon said the main purpose of the survey is to collect data on how cell lines have been used in Australian R&D over the last 12 months, and how this might change over the next few years.

“If survey data suggests that demand for specific authenticated cell lines or a specific cell culture-related service may be greater over the next two years than to date, CellBank Australia can take steps to meet the expected change in demand,” he said.

The survey also seeks information from respondents on topics including difficulties they have experienced with cell culture use - such as Mycoplasma contamination or loss of cell lines during transit.

Non-profit organisation CellBank Australia is owned and operated by the Children’s Medical Research Institute. It provides a collection of Australian and New Zealand cell lines, and also distributes cell lines from overseas repositories, including 1750 from the European Collection of Cell Cultures.

The organisation also offers cell deposit and liquid nitrogen storage and custom culture services, as well as cell testing and consultation services.

Shannon said 183 responses have been received over the first four days of the survey. It will be open until 4 December.

Organisations including AusBiotech, Research Australia, the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cell and Developmental Biology and the Sydney University Cancer Research Network have agreed to promote the survey to their members.

The survey includes a total of 49 questions, but most respondents will only need to answer 17-24. Shannon said the essential questions can be filled out in 10-15 minutes and participants will be eligible to win a 64 GB Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet worth $999.