Cell Services and Tests

The services below are available only to University of Virginia researchers

Services Price Unit
100 mm plate of cells   $6.00 each  
150 mm plate of cells   $14.00 each  
24 well plate of cells   $3.50 each  
6 well plate of cells   $3.50 each  
6 well plate of cells w/ cover slips   $4.00 each  
96 well plate of cells   $2.00 each  
Amplification for high titer baculovirus   $70.00 100 ml  
Freeze or thaw cells   $17.50 1 vial  
Grow cells, T-175 flask, adherent   $16.00 each  
Grow cells, T-175 flask, suspension   $27.50 each  
Grow cells, T-25 flask, adherent   $9.75 each  
Grow cells, T-25 flask, suspension   $10.45 each  
Grow cells, T-75 flask, adherent   $14.10 each  
Grow cells, T-75 flask, suspension   $14.10 each  
Infection of cells for protein   $70.00 100 ml  
Mycoplasma test   $50.00 1 assay  
Pipet tips, 200 ul, sterile   $2.10 box of 96  
Rapid Titer test   $140.00 1 assay  
Sf9 cells   $19.65 100 ml  
Storage of cells for 6 months in liquid N2  $1.25 1 vial  

To order cells, come to the Tissue Culture Facility to complete an order form and discuss the order with Nena Fox

Mycoplasma Testing Using MycoAlert® System

The Tissue Culture Facility performs mycoplasma testing for your lab's cultured cells. The TCF offers one day turnaround on results.

The new MycoAlert System detects mycoplasma in cell cultures using the sensitive luminescent assay of ATP. The assay is a selective biochemical test that exploits the activity of mycoplasmal enzymes. The viable mycoplasma are lysed and the enzymes react with the MycoAlert substrate, catalyzing the conversion of ADP to ATP. By measuring ATP before and after addition of the substrate, a ratio is obtained which indicates the presence or absence of mycoplasma.

This assay can be performed at every passage to ensure that the cultures remain uncontaminated.

Preparation of Samples for Mycoplasma Testing

  1. 1. Samples of the culture medium should be taken before any further processing steps, e.g. trypsinization.
  2. 2. Cultures should be free of any antibiotics or antimycotics for 2-3 passages, and approximately 80% confluent.
  3. 3. Transfer 10 ml of cell culture or culture supernatant into a 15 ml centrifuge tube and pellet any cells at 1500 rpm (200 x g) for 5 minutes.
  4. 4. Transfer 10 ml of cleared supernatant into a sterile tube and label it.
  5. 5. Bring samples to the Tissue Culture Facility and fill out a request form.