CMBD CORES AND FACILITIES

HUMAN BONE CELL PRODUCTION CORE

The Human Bone Cell Production Core is designed to assist investigators at UAB who want to initiate programs using human bone cells and bone cell precursors. The Human Bone Cell Production Core is currently funded through an NIH Metabolic Bone Research Core Center Grant. As its first focus of activity, the Human Bone Cell Production Core provides human osteoblast stem cells and mouse osteoclasts.

Both human primary osteoblast and mouse osteoclast precursors are available to UAB investigators who are interested in bone-related research. Osteoblast precursors have the potential to differentiate into many different lineages, such as osteoblast, chondrocytes, adipocytes. The primary osteoclast precursors are capable of differentiating into osteoclasts in vitro under osteoclastogenic condition, serving as a useful tool to investigate osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, in vitro generated osteoclasts are available for investigators who are interested in studying mature osteoclast function.

If you plan to use human stromal cells please apply for your IRB approval prior to requesting the cells. We believe this is a unique facility and encourage investigators to contact us at the address listed below to discuss potential research applications and uses of the Core Facility expertise.

Xu Cao, PhD
Professor
Department of Pathology
Email: cao@uab.edu;
Phone: 1-205-934-0162