The Lady Mary Fairfax CellBank Australia is a facility providing cell lines to the research community, both within Australia and overseas.  The facility has three main aims.  Firstly, CellBank Australia is designed to act as a secure repository for cell lines developed by the local research community, including cultures derived from unique Australian species.  Secondly, the facility will make it easier for scientists in this region to access quality-controlled cell lines for their experimental work.  Thirdly, we aim to provide a resource promoting good cell culture practice in research Australia-wide.

There is a clear need for quality control testing of cell cultures.  From cell lines tested by the facility in 2008, we detected Mycoplasma contamination in 15% of samples, and cross-contamination by another cell line in 23% of samples.

The facility will be closed over Christmas and January to allow for staff training.  The last date for receipt of samples in 2008 will be December 16.  Please click here for more information on sample testing and other services. 



The Lady Mary Fairfax CellBank Australia
was established by a joint venture of the Children's Medical Research Institute, Cure Cancer Australia Foundation, and National Breast Cancer Foundation, and by an Enabling Grant of the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.  It has been operated by CMRI since July 2007.