PERPETUATE's packaged service provides the pet owner with the following three biotechnologies performed on their pet's cell biopsy:

1. Cell culturing,
2. DNA preservation,
3. Genotyping.

All of these services are included in our lump sum fee. Further description of these services can be found below.

If you are an international client, please click here on instructions for your country.

Cell Culturing and DNA Preservation

DNA preservation begins with the painless collection of tissue samples from your pet by a veterinarian. Skin biopsies are used to collect tissue samples. Your pet will feel no pain as the procedure is done under local or general anesthesia. These tissue samples are then shipped on ice gel packs by overnight courier to the laboratory in Pennsylvania where they are cultured.

Culturing involves growing and isolating cells from the tissue samples until a cell line of several million fibroblast cells is established. Once a cell line with your pet’s DNA is established, the cell line is frozen by a graduated process to extremely low temperatures then stored in liquid nitrogen in PERPETUATE's Bio-Kennels.

Culturing and preserving DNA takes three to six weeks to complete, then cells can be preserved in liquid nitrogen for decades.

Genotyping

In most cases, a genotype or ’DNA signature’ will also be developed for your pet. With this DNA signature, you will know that this is your pet, and that cells are preserved from your pet for its future clones. Genotypes are produced from buccal samples collected by your veterinarian or from cells grown in the laboratory. Buccal samples are collected by swabbing the gums of your pet with a small brush, after which, it takes about two months to complete a DNA signature. Genotypes are produced by the independent Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at the University of California in Davis, California.

Canine and Feline Genotypes

When the culturing and genotyping procedures are complete, you will be presented with a PERPETUATE DNA Signature and Certificate

Our ultimate goal is to add pet cloning to the PERPETUATE biotechnology portfolio as soon as possible so you can get your special pet once again.