Abstract
Subject to the ethics guideline for human genome/gene analysis research enforced in Japan, authorization for the research protocol was obtained from the institutional ethics review committees. Peripheral blood samples were then collected after providing adequate explanation from Japanese volunteers, and obtaining written consent based on free will. Prior to use, the collected blood samples were anonymized in an unlinkable fashion on the new program developed by us, and B-cell lines derived from 996 individuals were established by the exposure of their blood cells to Epstein-Barr virus. All the established cell lines were deposited to the public cell banks, National Institute of Health Science and Japan Health Science Foundation, and their distribution was begun in 2003. The distribution of these cell lines available as materials for human gene analysis research, may contribute to the advancement of human gene analysis research.
