MyoLine is a platform for the immortalization of human cells at the Institut de Myologie in Paris. Dr. Vincent Mouly of the Institut answers our questions about the process of immortalization and how to make a request if you’re interested in creating a cloned cell line from cells that you currently have.

Q&A: Cell Line Immortalization

How does the immortalization process work?
Immortalized cells are created from either myoblasts isolated from muscle biopsies or fibroblasts isolated from skin. Immortalized fibroblasts can also be transduced with an inducible MyoD to myo-convert them so that they can form multinucleated myotubes and express a myogenic phenotype.

How many source cells are required?
To immortalize a new cell line, MyoLine needs you to provide 1 million source cells.

How long does immortalization of the cells take?
The process of immortalization for myoblasts requires 3 months to create a cloned cell line. The process of immortalization of fibroblasts is 4-6 weeks.

Who can access the cell lines?
MyoLine requires all cell lines they create to be accessible to the scientific community.  The cell lines will not be distributed without the consent of the group who provided the original material (to avoid unnecessary competition) and the requestor must provide a letter of collaboration describing how the cells will be used and must acknowledge the group who provided the original material in any publications.

What documentation is required to create the immortalized cell lines?

• Patient consent allowing the use of their cells for research purposes. For private entities to utilize the cells, specific consent allowing use by private entities must be included. An anonymized copy of the consent used must be provided to initiate the discussions on immortalization.
• Patient information including age, gender, muscle of origin of the biopsy, and the exact patient mutation(s). This information allows MyoLine to propose the best matched controls while maintaining the anonymity of the material. Only the clinician who provides the original material has access to patient information.

What acknowledgement is required when using MyoLine cell lines?
A co-authorship (in any position) and acknowledgement to the MyoLine Platform is required for the first paper published using the created cell line for research. Acknowledgement of the MyoLine Platform is required for subsequent papers.

Do you charge any fees for the immortalization?
For academic researchers there is no fee other than the cost of shipping using the requestor’s account. There is a fee for private entities (to cover Myoline expenses) and an MTA is required.

Where can researchers get more information about the immortalization process?
Click here to learn more about the MyoLine Platform.

How do researchers request new cell lines?
Send email to Anne Bigot and Vincent Mouly at the Institut de Myologie:
Dr. Vincent Mouly (vincent.mouly@sorbonne-universite.fr)
Dr. Anne Bigot (anne.bigot@sorbonne-universite.fr)