A method for transforming lymphocytes from very small blood volumes suitable for paediatric samples

Permanent lymphoblastoid cell lines are important in the molecular analysis and characterization of human genetic disorders, when immortalized cells must be banked for future diagnostic or research purposes. However, routine methods for transformation using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) require blood volumes that may be difficult to collect from clinically compromised neonates and small children. Here we report a modified transformation procedure utilizing blood samples of small volume (less than 1.0 ml), which we have found to be particularly useful for the immortalization of lymphocytes destined for future molecular genetic studies.