Frequently Asked Questions

Does MCCL sell/distribute/donate cell lines?

No. Our cell lines are available because we are conducting ongoing research projects that make use of these cell lines. We are not permitted by the original manufacturers (ATCC, Lonza, Sigma) to resell these biomaterials. We only share our cell lines with official research collaborators of our government-funded projects.

Does MCCL provide training?

Yes. MCCL offers training workshops once a year. However, due to the physical limitations of our laboratory, our training workshops are limited to several participants only and a selection process shall be conducted for interested applicants. Please refer to our Facebook page (facebook.com/mccl.upd) or the Trainings page for training announcements.

Does MCCL accept interns?

MCCL is not accepting interns who apply directly to us via e-mail, phone calls or on-site visitation. We are not actively recruiting interns as we are usually assigned interns and trainees by the Institute of Biology.

Can clients come to MCCL and perform the assay protocols?

No. Our bioassay protocols may only be performed by MCCL personnel who have been trained in performing these assays using highly sensitive equipment for at least 1 year. We only provide this training for employed researchers and IB-enrolled thesis students, hence clients without this training cannot be allowed to perform the assay protocols at MCCL.

Can clients come to MCCL and observe the assay protocols?

No. MCCL houses several researchers and research students who are involved under government-funded research projects. Unfortunately, we cannot cater to visiting clients in the interest of facility space and our busy research schedules.

Can clients perform their thesis/dissertation at MCCL?

Only graduate students enrolled at UP are being accepted to perform their dissertations at MCCL even without official research collaboration.

Does MCCL provide technical consultations regarding the bioassays offered?

No. MCCL only functions as a service provider. The client must consult with their research adviser/supervisor regarding data interpretations specific to their research.

Does MCCL offer MTT assay for antimicrobial testing?

No. We only offer assays for phytochemical analysis and testing using mammalian (human/mouse) cells.

Does MCCL offer plant/fungal identification services?

No. Please refer to the Institute of Biology website (https://biology.science.upd.edu.ph/) or e-mail biology.upd@up.edu.ph to inquire about these services.

Does MCCL offer extraction services such as HPLC?

No. We do not offer any form of extraction service. Clients must perform their own crude extraction/isolation protocols prior to submitting their samples to MCCL (See Section B of the Service Brochure).

Does MCCL offer testing/extraction of compound groups (eg. phytoestrols, anthocyanins)?

No. We do not offer any form of extraction service. As for testing, we only offer analysis of two major classes of phytochemicals: phenolics and flavonoids. 

Does MCCL offer in vivo testing?

No. MCCL is primarily an in vitro research laboratory. We do not breed mice/hamsters/zebrafish/brine shrimps for client services. In vivo testing requires ethical clearances that MCCL cannot obtain for the client. For brine shrimp and chorioallantoic assays, please contact andevlab.upd@up.edu.ph

Can MCCL obtain a particular cell line specific for the client’s study?

No. Cell lines can cost around Php 50,000-200,000. Furthermore, cell line procurement is a long process (around 6 months to 1 year). Hence, we only offer testing in cell lines that are already available at our facility.

Can clients request customized sample concentrations for testing?

For Regular Assays (MTT, DPPH, TPC, TFC), these concentrations are fixed and non-negotiable. For Confirmatory Bioassays (Annexin V-PI and IF staining), the specific sample concentration/s are to be provided by the client.

Can clients request a different positive control for testing?

Yes. But the client must submit their preferred positive control and MCCL will treat it as a submitted sample with the corresponding service fees.

Can MCCL sign my ISEF form?

No. The form can only be signed by lab workers/researchers who supervised the client’s training and performance of experiments. Since the client is not allowed to perform their assays at MCCL, our personnel cannot sign the ISEF form.