CDC Awards ATCC DNA Specimen and Genetic Data Contract

MANASSAS, Va., May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded ATCC, a global leader in biological materials management and standards, a $1.1 million, five-year contract to support the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) program.

Under this contract, ATCC will receive more than 50,000 blind DNA samples from the 1988-2012 NHANES and will measure and normalize DNA concentration, assess DNA quality and purity of selected sample sets, create quality control plates, and distribute samples to researchers upon request.

"As a global leader in biological materials production, characterization, preservation and distribution, ATCC is uniquely qualified to support the NHANES biospecimen program," said Dr. Joseph Leonelli, vice president for ATCC's Federal Solutions business. "We understand the importance of quality control and proper handling of these one-of-a-kind samples to ensure continued availability to the research community. This program strengthens our commitment to supporting government-funded research programs in public health and chronic diseases."

About NHANES
NHANES is a program of studies dating back to the early 1960s designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews and physical examinations. The specimens and data collected by NHANES help researchers learn more about genetic variation in the U.S. population and predisposition to chronic diseases as well as identify risk factors.

About ATCC
ATCC is a leader in biological materials management supporting the scientific community and government with research and development, products, and services in support of global health issues. With a history of innovation spanning 90 years, ATCC offers the world's largest and most diverse collection of human and animal cell lines, microorganisms, biological products, and standards. ATCC is a non-profit organization with headquarters in Manassas, Va. For more information about ATCC, visit us at www.atcc.org.

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SOURCE American Type Culture Collection

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