Solving Identity Crisis in Animal Cells;
Best Practices with DNA Barcodes and STR Analysis
Abstract
Animal cell lines are important in vitro systems and tools for scientists in diverse disciplines such as basic cell biology, genetic mapping, gene expression, and gene therapy. Animal cell line identity, which is a crucial first step in cell line authentication, is frequently underappreciated and ignored by most research scientists. Over the years numerous cell lines have been shown to be misidentified due, in part, to poor techniques and inadequate authentication protocols. It is estimated that the financial loss incurred by misidentified cell lines is in the millions of dollars. Animal cell line identity now requires a comprehensive strategy that employs several complementary technologies. Technological advances have given rise to improved capabilities. An overview of these technologies to include STR analysis for human cell line identity and CO1 for animal cell line identity will be presented.
Key Points:
- Cell line authentication is critical to meet funding, quality control, and publication requirements
- Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling is an accepted form of authentication that differentiates human cell lines
- DNA barcoding complements STR profiling by providing species-specific identification
