ATCC to Develop Custom Cell Lines for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

ATCC, the premier global biological materials resource and standards organization, announces today that it has been selected by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to provide vital cell lines to academic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology organizations committed to speed a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects one in 100 people over age 60. While the average age at onset is 60, people have been diagnosed as young as 18. Recent research indicates that at least 1 million people in the United States, and more than 5 million worldwide, have Parkinson's disease.

Under the terms of the agreement, ATCC will provide services and products to the global scientific community that is working to address this challenging disease. Specifically ATCC will provide cell line authentication, mycoplasma testing, and repository management services. ATCC will also produce and validate custom master cell banks (MCBs) from macrophage cell lines provided by MJFF, including wild-type LRRK2, LRRK2 knockout, and human LRRK2 T1348N (GTPase-dead) knockin.

“At our core, ATCC is about contributing to breakthrough scientific discoveries through the provision of high quality biological products and services. We are honored to partner with The Michael J. Fox Foundation to accelerate breakthroughs in Parkinson’s disease research,” stated Raymond Cypess, DVM, Ph.D., CEO at ATCC. “As the premier biological resource center that global researchers have relied on for 90 years, ATCC has been privileged to work with outstanding organizations, such as The Michael J. Fox Foundation, and we look forward to partnering with additional foundations.”

Terina Martinez, Ph.D., associate director of research programs at MJFF, said, “These cell lines are important tools for our efforts to advance understanding of Parkinson’s disease and further drug development toward new therapies for the millions living with this disease. We’re pleased to be working toward these goals with ATCC, a well-regarded organization with the capabilities and track record to help us serve the Parkinson’s research community.”

This special cell line collection will be established by the end of the first quarter of 2016 and will be available at www.atcc.org.

ATCC is a premier global biological materials and information resource and standards organization and the leading developer and supplier of authenticated cell lines, microorganisms, and associated data for academia, industry, and government. With a history of scientific contributions spanning nearly a century, ATCC offers an unmatched combination of being the world’s largest and most diverse collection of biological reference materials and data, and is a mission-driven, trusted partner that supports and encourages scientific collaboration. ATCC products, services, partnerships, and people provide the global scientific community with credible, advanced, model systems to support complex research and innovations in basic science, drug discovery, translational medicine, and public health. ATCC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with headquarters in Manassas, Virginia, and a research and technology center of excellence in Gaithersburg, Maryland. 

Contact: Kim Testa, senior director, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, ATCC, [email protected]

As the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $600 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world.