CDC Awards ATCC DNA Specimen and Genetic Data Contract

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded ATCC, a global leader in biological materials management and standards, a $1.1 million, five-year contract to support the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) program.

Under this contract, ATCC will receive more than 50,000 blind DNA samples from the 1988-2012 NHANES and will measure and normalize DNA concentration, assess DNA quality and purity of selected sample sets, create quality control plates, and distribute samples to researchers upon request.

“As a global leader in biological materials production, characterization, preservation and distribution, ATCC is uniquely qualified to support the NHANES biospecimen program,” said Dr. Joseph Leonelli, vice president for ATCC’s Federal Solutions business. “We understand the importance of quality control and proper handling of these one-of-a-kind samples to ensure continued availability to the research community. This program strengthens our commitment to supporting government-funded research programs in public health and chronic diseases.

NHANES is a program of studies dating back to the early 1960s designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews and physical examinations. The specimens and data collected by NHANES help researchers learn more about genetic variation in the U.S. population and predisposition to chronic diseases as well as identify risk factors.

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]