Cell Immortalization Service
Primary cells undergo a limited number of cell divisions in culture, and enter replicative senescence. Scientists are faced with re-establishing fresh culture from tissues, which can be tedious and add variability from one preparation to another. Immortalized cells derived from primary cells can surpass normal cellular senescence and have extended replicative capacity; thus enabling scientists to use the same consistent cells through research projects for longitudinal studies.
There are several methods for immortalizing mammalian cells in culture conditions. Simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen can induce Telomerase activity in the infected cells and is a very robust agent for immortalization of many cell types. Another option expresses Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase protein (TERT). This approach is particularly useful for cells that are most affected by telomere length. These cells are able to avoid replicative senescence by maintaining sufficient telomere lengths when hTERT is exogenously introduced. However, over-expression of hTERT in some cell types (especially in epithelial cells) fails to induce cell immortalization.
Our scientists have successfully immortalized custom cell lines by introducing either SV40 T antigen or TERT (successful species: Human, Bovine, Pig, Dog, Rat and Mouse).
- Flexibility: Lentivirus with SV40 T antigen or hTERT
- Characterization: PCR analysis is performed on the transgene expression.
- Timeline: as quick as 6 weeks on many cell types.
- Deliverables: 5 vials (>1 x 10^6 cells/vial) of immortalized pooled cells
- Expansion of single clones also available
Please send your inquiry to info@101Bio.com