Cell Line Authentication Tests through STR Profiling

Since 1951, when the first immortal human cell line, HeLa, was established, there has been an increase in the use of human cell lines tests. These cell lines are used as models for human diseases such as cancer, substrates for the production of viruses for vaccine production, and as tools for producing recombinant proteins for therapeutics. This accelerated use of human cell lines and the lack of best practices in tissue culture have led to an increase in cellular cross-contamination, resulting in spurious results. Now a simple molecular technique, Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA profiling for human Cell Line Authentication test, is available. If applied routinely in cell culture management can significantly improve the detection of cellular cross-contamination resulting in more accurate assays.

How often does cross-contamination occur?

Cross-contamination is a critical problem in cell culture, with studies suggesting that up to 16–35% of all experiments are affected. This impacts research as the recorded results may not accurately reflect the true data and replicate the experiment. Detecting contaminated cell lines is therefore imperative in cell line authentication tests.

The second and most crucial issue with cell lines is that they often become genetically drifted with time. A cell may lose its originality during such a genetic alteration and become a different cell.

Detecting cross-contamination or misidentification is particularly difficult for cells with similar morphologies or phenotypes. Thus, using methods that can identify cell lines has become crucial.

What is Short Tandem Repeats (STR) Profiling?

Different genomic technologies have been applied to the human cell line authentication tests. But only one method, i.e., STR profiling, has been the subject of a comprehensive and definitive standard. An international team of scientists and researchers has prepared a consensus standard on the authentication of human cell line profiling.

STR or short tandem repeats is a microsatellite consisting of a unit of 2–13 nucleotides repeated hundreds of times in a row in the DNA strand. The Cell Line Authentication Test analyzes DNA sequences using a minimum of 8 STR loci. A series of steps are involved in the testing process:

• STR genotyping of the cell line of interest.
• Comparing the resultant profile to the reference database.
• The match formulation technique is used to check for cross-contamination in the cell lines based on their percent match.
• Finally, listing the misidentified cell line of interest.

Why choose DNA Forensics Laboratory for Cell Line Authentication Test in India?

At DNA Forensics Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., we offer reliable and accurate cell line authentication services by using Short Tandem Repeat profiling. It enables researchers to identify misidentified, genetically drifted, or cross-contaminated cells. Our clients are from various esteemed research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology companies.

Moreover, we are the only company that offers legal DNA tests in India. With 400+ collection centers across India, you can visit your nearest collection center to give your DNA sample.

For further queries about cell line authentication tests, contact us on the following numbers:

+91 8010177771 (Call), +91 9213177771 (WhatsApp)