Well-differentiated human airway epithelial cell cultures are instrumental for studying basic and applied aspects of cell biology and physiology relevant to cystic fibrosis (CF) and its treatment. The UNC CF/Pulmonary Research and Treatment Center Tissue Procurement and Cell Culture Core (TPC) was established to provide standardized cell cultures for CF research. The TPC serves as a central source of normal, CF and disease control cells, tissues and fluids for a wide array of uses. The TPC has prepared cells from approximately 6,900 human tissue specimens over the past 26 years, providing an average of 13 × 109 viable primary human airway epithelial cells per year over the past five years.

Dr. Scott Randell, Core Director, and staff have extensive expertise in all aspects of tissue procurement and airway epithelial cell culture. The TPC is a national and international resource for donated tissues and share technology and reagents to help others develop equivalent tissue culture capabilities by sending out cells, tissues, and fluids to test key hypotheses related to current issues in CF pathogenesis and treatment. The latest advances in cell immortalization technology are used to create novel cell lines. An ever-increasing need for cells and services has broadened TPC functions to meet the growing research demands to study CF and other lung diseases.