Identification Testing

When a researcher decides to use a new cell line, you choose that cell line for a reason.  It may come from a particular species or tissue, or produce a particular protein, and therefore it is important that the cell line you use is correctly identified.  Unfortunately, this may not always be the case.  Cross-contamination of one cell line with another, resulting in mistaken identity, is a known hazard of cell culture.  First publicised in connection with the HeLa cell line in the 1970s, cross-contamination was recently estimated to affect 18-36% of existing cell lines (Lacroix 2008, Int J Cancer 122:1).

 For a listing of misidentified cell lines please click here.
  
The risks of mistaken cell line identity can be reduced by handling cell lines in accordance with good cell culture practice, and by obtaining cell lines from repositories that perform quality control to minimise these risks.  However, you may wish to check cell lines that you have already used in your experiments to confirm that they match other stocks of that cell line held elsewhere.  For human cell lines, accurate identification is now possible by taking advantage of techniques used within the field of forensic testing.

Human samples can be identified using short tandem repeat (STR) profiling, which examines specific loci for nucleotide repeats.  STR profiling has been extensively tested and validated for forensic use, and is recommended as the gold standard for identification of human cell lines.  CellBank Australia performs STR profiling routinely on human cell lines cultured at the facility, using the AmpFLSTR® Identifiler® kit from Applied Biosystems.  We offer this testing as a service for laboratories wishing to confirm the identities of their human cell lines.

Preparation of Samples for Identification Testing

CellBank Australia can generate an STR profile from human tissue, cell lines or DNA, with well preserved tissue and cell pellets usually producing the best results. DNA can be used as starting material, although the resulting STR profile may be incomplete. For those wishing to send us a sample for Identification testing please send: 

• Tissue - well preserved and frozen tissue (approximately 5mm³) - shipped on dry ice.
• Cell Pellet - approximately 1x10⁶ cells that have been centrifuged to remove the supernatant. Pellets can be stored at -80^oC until ready for testing - shipped on dry ice.
• DNA - at least 100ng of DNA with the concentration clearly marked on the vial - shipped at below 4^oC.

Samples for testing should be shipped in accordance with IATA rules and regulations regarding appropriate packaging for shipping of hazardous substances. You will need to fill out and return a completed Request for Identification Service form before sending your samples as well as a Customer Account Application (for new clients only). Please advise CellBank Australia prior to the dispatch of your samples.

To view the Identification testing service prices please click here.

For further information on the Identification of cell lines and STR profiling refer to our Identification technical information.