Cell Cultures

Brief Description

Cell culture is the process by which cells from human tissue are grown in an incubator under controlled conditions in order to provide sufficient material for testing. The cells are grown in tissue culture flasks in a medium containing cell nutrients and growth factors. Once the cultures grow to a sufficient volume , DNA is then extracted to be used for requested genetic testing. Back-up cultures are maintained until testing is complete and reported in case further DNA is required to complete testing

Test Code & Pricing

Test Code #995 ($500).

CPT Codes
CPT codes vary, depending on specimen source.
  • Amniotic fluid/chorionic villi 88235
  • Product of Conception (POC) specimens 88233
  • Other tissue biopsy 88233
Specimen Requirements
Specimens should be preserved in saline or culture media at room temperature.
  • 10 ml-20 ml of direct amniotic fluid
  • 5 mg-10 mg cleaned CVS tissue (~15-20 cleaned villi)
  • 2 mm x 2 mm x 2 mm fresh tissue

NOTE: Do NOT freeze specimens as that will inhibit cell growth.

Ordering
Add to Order

Order through myPrevent portal or see our Forms page for either our Prenatal Test Requisition Form or our Standard Test Requisition Form. See our Prenatal Guidelines for additional details related to testing of fetal specimens.

Turnaround Time

A cell culture takes an average of 2 weeks before DNA is ready to be extracted; however, this timeline is highly dependent on the specimen size, quality, and the ability of the cells to grow.

Indications
Cell culture is indicated for the following reasons:
  • Maintaining a reserve DNA source for direct prenatal or tissue specimens.
  • Collecting a quantity of DNA, that is otherwise difficult to secure from a direct specimen.
Methods

Cell cultures are performed by Allele Diagnostics (CLIA #50D2086351/CAP #9018482)
(https://www.allelediagnostics.com/).