Free cell lines for NCD researchers

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Australia-Japan Foundation, cell line repositories CellBank Australia and JCRB Cell Bank are disbursing 40 Japan-derived cell line vials to Australia-based research scientists, free of charge, for non-communicable disease (NCD) research.

According to ‘Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010’, the four main NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes) are the leading causes of death globally, killing more people each year than all other causes combined. NCDs were responsible for 68% of global mortality in 2012 (translating to 38 million people), with a mortality rate of 80% in Japan and 90% in Australia.

The Australia-Japan Foundation initiative hopes to change this, with the hope that the free cell lines will address NCDs and science and technology infrastructure deficiencies common to both Australia and Japan.

To take advantage of the initiative, Australia-based research scientists need to submit a one-page request form explaining their preclinical NCD research project, how the requested cell line(s) will be used, the potential impact of their research project and why they are not able to purchase the requested cell line(s) using their own research funds. By submitting a request, each scientist will agree to adopt Good Cell Culture Practice (GCCP).

Requests for cell line vials will be considered in the order that they are received against set selection criteria. Requests will be considered by members of the CellBank Australia Scientific Advisory Committee and successful applications are limited to two vials per research laboratory.