ATCC is a winner of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund Replication Prize, a prestigious national competition designed to advance scientific research by identifying strategies to make biomedical research more replicable. ATCC is recognized as one of 35 winners, and one of 15 selected winners for the Replication Exemplars Track.
ATCC was recognized for its innovative approach to producing Well-characterized Challenge Material (WCCM)—standardized, rigorously tested virus samples that enable researchers across institutions to generate comparable, reproducible results for high-containment virus research.
The NIH Replication Prize, launched with NASA’s Tournament Lab, addresses critical challenges in biomedical research where many peer-reviewed studies cannot be reliably replicated due to incomplete documentation and variability in materials. The program aims to shift scientific culture by embedding replication as a standard practice rather than an afterthought.
ATCC won for developing a comprehensive strategy that produces viral challenge materials with consistent genomic and functional characteristics across multiple production runs. The approach ensures independent lots meet quality standards and can be used interchangeably without additional manipulation. This capability is critical for high-containment virus studies including SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viruses. Reduced variability in these materials strengthens the reliability of evaluating vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
“This recognition validates ATCC’s commitment to reproducible science and highlights the critical importance of standardized, high-quality biological materials in advancing research,” said Rebecca Bradford, senior vice president of Federal Solutions at ATCC. “By eliminating variability in viral challenge materials, we’re building a foundation for more reliable research across institutions worldwide.”
ATCC’s winning replication strategy involved three critical phases:
- Controlled optimization studies to identify optimal cell line selection (HeLa, Caco-2, U-87 MG, and SW-13), seeding density, multiplicity of infection, and harvest timing
- Small-scale engineering runs to confirm reproducibility
- Large-scale production exceeding one liter per batch
Each run underwent rigorous quality control including whole-genome sequencing, sterility and mycoplasma screening, and functional validation through TCID50 and plaque assays.
The ATCC team produced over 30 production runs generating more than 1,000 vials per run while maintaining genomic stability with only low-frequency variants detected through integrated next-generation sequencing. The out-of-the-vial model eliminated additional passages by researchers, reducing experimental variability and decreasing quality control turnaround time by 30%.
The impact extends beyond individual projects to strengthen global pandemic preparedness. Through management of BEI Resources, ATCC enables worldwide distribution of standardized materials for eligible researchers. The scalable platform allows rapid production of challenge material for emerging pathogens, ensuring validated viral stocks can be deployed quickly during public health emergencies. Proven during the COVID-19 response, this capability positions the global scientific community for faster, more coordinated responses to future outbreaks.
This recognition reinforces ATCC’s leadership in advancing reproducible science and its ongoing commitment to supporting the global research community with trusted biological resources.
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