Test ID: FIBR    
Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical and Molecular Testing, Tissue

Obtaining cultured cells for specialized testing including enzymatic and molecular genetic

This processing test is for culturing skin fibroblasts or other biopsies for biochemical or molecular genetic studies. No analysis or interpretation of results is performed.

When this test is ordered, cryopreservation will always be performed at an additional charge. However, for multiple assays on a patient utilizing the ordered fibroblast culture, only one culture is required regardless of the number of assays ordered.

Once confluent flasks are established, the cultures are sent to other laboratories, either within Mayo Clinic Laboratories or to external sites, based on the specific testing requested. To avoid delays, indicate testing to be performed and provide external lab paperwork for send out testing.

If viable cells are not obtained within 30 days, client will be notified.

Mycoplasma screening will be performed on all successfully grown fibroblast cultures. If Mycoplasma is detected, all pending fibroblast clinical testing will be cancelled, and the samples will be discarded.

Cultures of skin fibroblasts are useful for specialized tests requiring skin cells. These cells can be cultured and tested at Mayo Clinic Laboratories or sent to external laboratories performing these specialized tests. In addition, cells are frozen for a minimum of 3 years for potential future studies on cultured cells or for molecular genetic testing.

Not applicable

Potential interfering factors:

-Lack of viable cells

-Bacterial contamination

-Failure to transport tissue in an appropriate media

-Excessive transport time

-Exposure of the specimen to temperature extremes (freezing or >30 degrees C)

-Improper packaging may result in broken or leaky specimen containers or contamination of specimens during transport

• Biochemical Genetics Patient Information