Why is authentication important?

Authentication of cell lines is important in scientific research to ensure that you are not working with cells that are misidentified or cross contaminated. Authentication of cell lines is a fundamental part of good cell culture practice and is increasingly required in order to secure funding for research and for publication in scientific journals. 

ECACC's AuthentiCell offers cell line authentication services for both human and animal cell lines.

Why authenticate cell lines?

• Approximately 20% of cell lines are misidentified or cross contaminated

• Grant awarding bodies now require evidence of cell line authentication

• Science article by Christoper Korch on the financial impact of cell line misidentification

Further information:

• AuthentiCell 

• ICLAC - Guide to human cell line authentication

• International Journal of Cancer - Match criteria for human cell line authentication: Where do we draw the line?

• Using Match Criteria for STR profiles

• The International list of misidentified cell lines by the International Cell Line Authentication Committee (ICLAC) 

• Masters et al., 2001 Short tandem repeat profiling provides an international reference standard for human cell lines