Getting Started

1. Register for an account with iLab Solutions by clicking on https://mdanderson.ilabsolutions.com.
2. Request services through the Cytogenetics and Cell Authentication Core (CCAC) iLab page.
3. After your iLab request is fully approved, you will be notified by email to schedule an appointment to drop off your samples or with shipping instructions.
4. Clearly label your sample vials according to your sample list submitted in iLab.
5. Drop off or ship your samples to the Core at: 6565 MD Anderson Blvd., S13.8415, Houston, TX 77030.

Do not drop off samples without an appointment. Appointments will be made between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday–Friday.

• The Core only accepts human whole genomic DNA.
• Fifty (50) uL of DNA that is adjusted to 10-15 ng/uL is required for profiling.
• The turn-around time is approximately one week. 
• The Core performs STR profiling once weekly on Mondays. Samples must be received before 2 p.m. the previous Friday to make it onto next week's run. (The Core occasionally may perform profiling on a different day for a particular week, depending on workload, personnel scheduling, or special circumstances.)
• Please see our Services page for pricing information.

• The Core only accepts cell culture media with all cells removed.
• One (1) mL of media is required for testing.
• Store samples in a 4 degree cooler until you drop off your samples. Do not freeze them.
• The turn-around time is approximately one week. 
• The Core performs mycoplasma testing once weekly on Friday mornings. Samples must be received before 2 p.m. on Thursday to make it onto that week's run. (The Core occasionally may perform testing on a different day for a particular week, depending on workload, personnel scheduling or special circumstances.)
• Please see our Services page for pricing information.

Request or deposit cell lines under the Characterized Cell Line tab on the CCAC iLab page.

Request Cell Lines

Please see our List of Cell Lines that are available for purchase.

For customers inside of MD Anderson: When the cell lines are ready, you will be notified by email to schedule an appointment to pick up your cell lines. Depending on the cell line, turn-around time is approximately one week.

For customers outside of MD Anderson: An MTA will be started by the Core after your iLab forms are submitted and fully approved. The MTA process can take between two and six weeks, depending on the workload of MD Anderson's legal department and the external institution's cooperation. After the fully executed MTA has been returned, the Core will ship the cell lines.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING CELL LINES ACQUIRED FROM OUR CORE**

All cell lines distributed by the Core are STR profiled and tested for mycoplasma and bacterial contamination immediately before freezing. We also make sure there is an adequate number of cells in each vial to ensure that cells will grow properly in culture. If you are having problems growing any of the cell lines received from the Core, please contact us. We can provide some advice for growing your cells, but we cannot provide an immediate replacement vial. There are several reasons why cell lines might not grow properly such as: transfer and storage after receipt, thawing method, appropriate media, FBS concentration, incubator CO₂ level and temperature, level of experience growing cells, among others. Thus, we will only provide a replacement vial after evaluating all the parameters above and concluding that customers followed the best cell culture practices. 

Deposit Cell Lines

• This is for any PI who is willing to share cell lines with other internal and/or external users of the MD Anderson Characterized Cytogenetics and Cell Authentication Core.
• This benefits PIs by providing them with a secure site to store their cell lines, eliminating the cost to expand and distribute cell lines to requestors, and expanding the number of cell lines available to PIs.
  
• The Core will expand, store, and distribute deposited cell lines. The Core will also provide a vial of the deposited cell lines, at no cost, when requested by the PI depositing the cell line.
  
• Storage is guaranteed for a period of up to three (3) years from the deposit date.
  
• The Core will not accept cell lines that are:
  • obtained from commercial sources,
  • restricted under an MTA, and/or
  • mycoplasma positive. (All cell lines will be tested immediately after deposit and mycoplasma positive cell lines will be discarded after notifying the PI.)

For customers inside of MD Anderson: PeopleSoft Account Number

• Your funding will need to be set up within your iLab account before you can request services through iLab. 
• Contact your financial manager to obtain access to the correct funding source before submitting a request.
  

For customers outside MD Anderson: Credit Card or Purchase Order (PO)

• **An electronic copy of the Credit Card Charge Authorization Form or PO must be provided to the Core via iLab or email before you can submit your samples. The Core will not accept your samples without this.**
• Click here to obtain our MD Anderson Institutional Information to help create your PO.