The MLI Tissue Procurement and Cell Culture Core

Overview of Services

The Marsico Lung Institute (MLI) Tissue Procurement and Cell Culture Core is a critical resource for advancing cystic fibrosis (CF) research. It provides researchers with standardized primary airway epithelial cell cultures, which are indispensable for investigating CF pathophysiology and assessing the efficacy of novel therapeutic agents. These cultures frequently serve as a critical milestone test during the development of new CF treatments.

The Core pioneered the use of human CF lungs—obtained from transplantation—to generate its unparalleled cell bank. As a centralized facility, it supplies the scientific community with non-diseased "normal," CF, and various disease control cells, tissues, and fluids.

With over 42 years of operation, the Core has processed more than 8,600 human tissue specimens, producing an annual average of 93 billion viable primary human airway epithelial cells, underscoring its immense scale and impact on the field.

Custom Media

BEGM MEDIUM: Bronchial epithelial growth media for expansion of cells on plastic
ALI MEDIUM: Air-liquid interface media for differentiation of cells on porous supports
VALI MEDIUM: Vertex-ALI for differentiation of cells on porous supports (contains Ultroser G)-Please inquire about the availability of this product prior to ordering

Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Non-Diseased "Normal" Donors: Cells from a donor history shows no prior chronic lung disease.
Diseased Donors: Donor history shows prior chronic lung disease such as COPD, Asthma).
Cystic Fibrosis Donors: Homozygous severe CFTR mutation - (F508del/F508del).
Cystic Fibrosis Donors: Heterozygous F508del/second severe CFTR mutation - (F508del/Other).
Cystic Fibrosis Donors: Non F508del CFTR mutations - (Other CF/Other CF).

Other Human Lung Cells

Non-Diseased Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells: No history of prior chronic lung disease
Non-Diseased Lung Fibroblast Cells: No history of prior chronic lung disease
BMI Cell Line - Normal HBE Cell Line: UNCN1T, UNCN2T, UNCN3T - (Internal/External Academic Only)
BMI Cell Line - Cystic Fibrosis HBE Cell Line: UNCCF1T, UNCCF2T, UNCCF3T - (Internal/External Academic Only)

Well-Differentiated Human Cell Cultures

Non-diseased passage 2 or 3 human primary lung epithelial cells, cultured in ALI medium on collagen coated porous membranes

Passage 2 or passage 3 human primary lung epithelial cells, from donors with COPD or Asthma, cultured in ALI mediaum on collagen coated porous membranes

Age of maturity ~ 4 weeks in culture

Training

The MLI Tissue Core will provide training on basic Core techniques, protocols, and use of the EVOM Manual to measure TEER.

MTA Handling Fee

Cost of supplies used to generate shipments of MTA specimens requested

Labor

Cost for MLI Tissue Core staff to perform cell culture or other tasks requested by UNC CF investigators

All human cells test negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi.

Leadership

Scott H. Randell, PhD | Core Director

Phillip W. Clapp, PhD / Core Co-Director

Leslie Fulcher / Core Program Manager / 919-966-7055 / leslie_fulcher@med.unc.edu

Location and Hours of Operation

Location

Hours

125 Mason Farm Rd

Marsico Hall #1109A

Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Monday - Friday

8 am - 5 pm

Links and Resources

Tissue Procurement and Cell Culture Core

Contacts

Name	Role	Phone	Email	Location
Leslie Fulcher	Core Manager	919-966-7055	Leslie_Fulcher@med.unc.edu	1119 Marsico Hall
Allison Williams	Core Lead Technician	919-445-6481	Ablair05@email.unc.edu	1109A Marsico Hall
Phillip Clapp	Core Co-Director	919-445-6481	Phillip_Clapp@med.unc.edu	1113 Marsico Hall

ORDER HERE!

Name	Description	Price
ALI Media	Air-Liquid interface media for differentiation of cells on porous supports Cost/Liter Options to purchase 0.5L. Please enter 0.5 in the quantity box.	Inquire
ALI Media (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Air-Liquid interface media for differentiation of cells on porous supports Cost/Liter Options to purchase 0.5L. Please enter 0.5 in the quantity box.	Inquire
Basic MLI Core Training	Provide training on thawing, counting and seeding primary cells Making custom media Coating plastic dishes for expansion of primary cells Coating porous supports Cell maintenance on plastic and porous supports Passing and freezing primary cells	Inquire
BEGM	Bronchial epithelial growth media for expansion of cells on plastic Cost/Liter Options to purchase 0.5L. Please enter 0.5 in the quantity box.	Inquire
BEGM (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Bronchial epithelial growth media for expansion of cells on plastic Cost/Liter Options to purchase 0.5L. Please enter 0.5 in the quantity box.	Inquire
BMI-hTERT Cell Line - Normal HBE Cell Line	Non-disease bronchial epithelial cell line UNCN1T, UNCN2T, UNCN3T Price of cells/million	Inquire
BMI-hTERT Cell Line - Normal HBE Cells - (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Non-disease bronchial epithelial cell line UNCN1T, UNCN2T, UNCN3T Price of cells/million	Inquire
Cystic Fibrosis Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) CRC Cells (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate) – Any CFTR mutation – KK Code	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary LAE cells from a donor with Cystic Fibrosis Cells expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell methods Price of cells/million
Cystic Fibrosis Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) CRC Cells – Any CFTR mutation – KK Code	Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary LAE cells from a donor with Cystic Fibrosis Cells expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell methods Price of cells/million	Inquire
Cystic Fibrosis Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cells - (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)- KO Code	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary SAE cells from a donor with Cystic Fibrosis Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million Inquire about availability	Inquire
Cystic Fibrosis Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cells - KO Code	Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary SAE cells from a donor with Cystic Fibrosis Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million Inquire about availability	Inquire
Disease - Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) Cells - AA code - (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Passage 1, cells from a donor with COPD or Asthma Price of cells/million Cells test negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi.	Inquire
Disease - Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) Cells – AA code	Passage 1, cells from a donor with COPD or Asthma Price of cells/million Cells test negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi.	Inquire
Disease - Lung Fibroblast Cells - FB code - (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Lung Fibroblasts cells from donors with COPD or Asthma Price of cells/million Check availability
Disease - Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells - MVE code	Lung Microvascular Endothelial cells from donors with COPD or Asthma Price of cells/million Check availability	Inquire
Disease - Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells - MVE code- (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Lung Microvascular Endothelial cells from donors with COPD or Asthma Price of cells/million Check availability	Inquire
Disease - Well-Differentiated LAE CRC Cell Cultures-12mm inserts ALI - AA code	LAE cells from COPD or Asthma donors expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Media: UNC ALI Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Disease Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) CRC Cells (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate) (COPD or Asthma)- AA CODE	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary LAE cells from a donor with COPD or Asthma Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million	Inquire
Disease Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) CRC Cells - (COPD or Asthma) - AA CODE	Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary LAE cells from a donor with COPD or Asthma Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million	Inquire
Disease Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cells (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate) - AO Code	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary SAE cells from a donor with COPD or Asthma Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million Inquire about availability	Inquire
Disease Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cells - AO Code	Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary SAE cells from a donor with COPD or Asthma Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million Inquire about availability	Inquire
MLI Core EVOM Training and Service	Provide training on TEER measurements Sign up for Google calendar for scheduling No training on MONDAY Five days of EVOM use for experiments	Inquire
MLI Custom Cell Culture Work	Thawing, counting and seeding primary cells Making custom media Coating plastic dishes for expansion of primary cells Coating porous supports Cell maintenance on plastic and porous supports Passing and freezing primary cells Any other basic Core cell culture work (discuss with Core Manager or Co-Director)	Inquire
MTA & Shipping Handling Fee
Normal - Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) Cells - DD Code	Passage 1, non-diseased bronchial epithelial cells Price of cells/million Non-smoker or light smoking history cells are available. Please add which type to Specify the Cell box. If nothing is specified, a non-smoker code will be selected. Cells test negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi.	Inquire
Normal - Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) Cells – DD (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Passage 1, non-diseased bronchial epithelial cells Price of cells/million Non-smoker or light smoking history cells are available. Please add which type to Specify the Cells box. If nothing is specified, a non-smoker code will be selected. Cells test negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi.	Inquire
Normal - Well-Differentiated LAE CRC Cell Cultures-12mm inserts ALI - DD code	Normal LAE cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Media: UNC ALI Age of cultures, ~ four weeks.	Inquire
Normal Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) CRC Cells - DD Code	Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary LAE cells from a donor with no history of chronic respiratory disease. Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million	Inquire
Normal Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) CRC Cells - (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate) - DD Code	This service is available to members of the CF RDP, and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary LAE cells from a donor with no history of chronic respiratory disease. Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million	Inquire
Normal Nasal Epithelial CRC Cells (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)- NN Code	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary normal nasal epithelial cells Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million Inquire about availability	Inquire
Normal Nasal Epithelial CRC Cells - NN Code	Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary normal nasal epithelial cells Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million Inquire about availability	Inquire
Normal Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cells (MLI-RDP-RTCC Rate)- DO Code	This service is available to members of the CF RDP and CF-RTCC, as well as CFF funding recipients. Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary SAE cells from a donor with no history of chronic respiratory disease. Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million Inquire about availability	Inquire
Normal Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cells - DO Code	Cryopreserved vial of passage 2 or 3 primary SAE cells from a donor with no history of chronic respiratory disease. Primary cells are expanded using Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell (CRC) methods Price of cells/million Inquire about availability	Inquire
Tissue Sample	Human Lung Samples or lung secretions. In the specify the cells box, include what tissue type you are requesting. (For example: 5 g distal lung for AT2) UNC cusotmers will need to enter a CFS. You will not be charged.	Inquire
VALI Media	Vertex-ALI for differentiation of cells on porous supports (contains Ultroser^TM G) Cost/Liter Options to purchase 0.5L. Please enter 0.5 in the quantity box.	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Disease Cell Cultures - 12 mm inserts - ALI - CRC - AO Code	SAE cells from COPD or Asthma donors expanded in CRC methods Normal passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in ALI media Seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Age of cultures, ~ four weeks
Well-Differentiated Human Cystic Fibrosis Cell Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cultures - 12 mm inserts - ALI - CRC - KO Code	Cystic Fibrosis small airway epithelial (SAE) cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in ALI media. Seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane. Age of cultures, ~ four weeks.	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Cystic Fibrosis Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) Cell Cultures - 6.5 mm inserts ALI - CRC - KK Code	Cystic Fibrosis LAE cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in ALI media Seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Cystic Fibrosis Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) Cell Cultures - 12 mm inserts- Commercial Media -CRC - KK Code	Cystic Fibrosis LAE cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Media: Commercial media Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Cystic Fibrosis Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) Cell Cultures - 12 mm inserts ALI - CRC - KK Code	Cystic Fibrosis epithelial cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in ALI media. Seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane. Age of cultures, ~ four weeks.
Well-Differentiated Human Cystic Fibrosis Large Airway Epithelial (LAE) Cell Cultures - 6.5 mm inserts - Commercial Media CRC - KK Code	Cystic Fibrosis LAE cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane Media: Commercial media Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Cystic Fibrosis Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cell Cultures - 12 mm inserts Commercial Media CRC - KO Code	Cystic Fibrosis SAE cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Media: Commercial media Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Cystic Fibrosis Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cell Cultures - 6.5 mm inserts - Commercial Media CRC - KO Code	Cystic Fibrosis SAE cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane Media: Commercial media Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Cystic Fibrosis Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cell Cultures - 6.5mm inserts ALI - CRC - KO Code	Cystic Fibrosis small airway epithelial (SAE) cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 epithelial cells cultured in ALI media Seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane Age of cultures, ~ four weeks
Well-Differentiated Human Disease Cell Cultures - 12mm inserts ALI - NON-CRC - AA Code	Passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in ALI media from donors with COPD or Asthma Seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Disease Cell Cultures - 6.5 mm inserts - NON-CRC - (Commercial Media) - AA Code	Passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells in commercial media from donors with COPD or Asthma Seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membranes Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Disease Cell Cultures - 6.5 mm inserts ALI - NON-CRC - AA Code	Normal passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in ALI media. Seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane. Age of cultures, ~ four weeks.	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Disease Cell Cultures - 6.5mm inserts ALI - CRC - AO Code	Small airway epithelial (SAE) cells expanded in CRC methods from donors with COPD or Asthma Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane Media: UNC ALI Age of cultures, ~ four weeks
Well-Differentiated Human Disease Cell Cultures -12mm inserts - NON-CRC - (Commercial Media) - AA Code	Passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in commercial media from donors with COPD or Asthma Seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane. Age of cultures, ~ four weeks.	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Disease Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Disease Cell Cultures - 12 mm inserts Commercial Media CRC - AO Code	SAE cells from COPD or Asthma donors expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Media: Commercial media Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Disease Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cell Cultures - 6.5 mm inserts - Commercial Media CRC - AO Code	SAE cells from COPD or Asthma donors expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane Media: Commercial media Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Normal Cell Cultures - 12mm inserts - NON-CRC - (Commercial Media) - DD Code	Normal passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in commercial media. Seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane. Age of cultures, ~ four weeks.
Well-Differentiated Human Normal Cell Cultures - 6.5 mm inserts - NON-CRC - (Commercial Media) - DD Code	Normal passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in commercial media Seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane Age of cultures, ~ four weeks
Well-Differentiated Human Normal Cell Cultures - 6.5mm inserts ALI - NON-CRC - DD Code	Normal passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in ALI media Seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane Age of cultures, ~ four weeks
Well-Differentiated Human Normal Cell Cultures-12 mm inserts ALI - NON-CRC - DD Code	Normal passage 2 or passage 3 primary epithelial cells cultured in ALI media Seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Age of cultures, ~ four weeks
Well-Differentiated Human Normal Small Airway Epithelial (SAE)Cell Cultures - 6.5 mm inserts - Commercial Media CRC - DO Code	SAE cells from normal donors expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane Media: Commercial media Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Normal Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cell Cultures - 12 mm inserts ALI - CRC - DO Code	Normal SAE cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Media: UNC ALI Age of cultures, ~ four weeks.
Well-Differentiated Human Normal Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cell Cultures - 12 mm inserts Commercial Media CRC - DO Code	SAE cells from normal donors expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 12 mm porous membrane Media: Commercial media Age of cultures, ~ four weeks	Inquire
Well-Differentiated Human Small Airway Epithelial (SAE) Cell Cultures - 6.5 mm inserts ALI - CRC - DO Code	Normal Small Airway epithelial (SAE) cells expanded in CRC methods Passage 2 or passage 3 cells seeded on collagen coated 6.5 mm porous membrane. Media: UNC ALI Age of cultures, ~ four weeks.

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