What Does it Cover?
Cell culture underpins research throughout the life sciences. Continuous cell lines have been used as culture models for many cell types, and assembled into panels for drug discovery and development. However, problems like cross-contamination are quite common and can render some cell lines unsuitable as research models. Authentic cells are typically overgrown by the contaminant over several passages to give a misidentified or false cell line.
Misidentified cell lines can be detected through authentication testing. Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling was subsequently introduced as an international reference method, and a consensus standard for human cell line authentication published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). International agreement has allowed all laboratories to compare their cell line stocks, resulting in a new wave of misidentified cell lines being discovered.
Funding bodies and journals are moving to set requirements for reporting of preclinical research. A good understanding of cell line provenance is also essential.
