Primary fibroblasts were derived from 2 mm skin punch biopsies from each donor. Biopsies were collected in fibroblast growth medium (Advanced DMEM, 10% FBS, 1% L-Glutamine, 0.007% 2-mercaptoethanol and 1% Pen/Strep) in falcon tubes at room temperature. Biopsies were manually dissected using a microscope under a drop of fibroblast medium using sterile scalpels. The biopsy fragments were transferred onto a 60 mm Petri dish containing several drops of fibroblast growth medium. Sterile cover slips were placed onto the dissected pieces of tissue to hold them in place against the bottom of the plate. The explants were cultured for five days and the spent media was removed and replaced with a few drops of media (1 ml) to prevent dehydration. The explants were fed every five days with 1 ml fibroblast media until fibroblast outgrowths appeared. The explants were screened for presence of mycoplasma using a standard PCR kit (EZ-PCR Kit, Gene flow (41106313-001)). On average outgrowths appeared within 14 days, with a small fraction of samples failing to produce outgrowths (12% of cases). Failures were due to contamination (0.5%) or
