Cell Line Quality Control

We facilitate smooth cell line quality control. Our cell line authentication service ensures clear traceability of cell cultures.

Cell cultures have been used in research and development for decades; however, a significant proportion (>400) are mislabelled or become cross-contaminated after various passages (Nature 457: 935-936, (2009) and International Cell Line Authentication Committee, ICLAC, since 2012).

Meanwhile, an international standard for the authentication of human cell lines has been established (ANSI/ATCC ASN-0002-2011). Based on this standard, the International Cell Line Authentication Committee (ICLAC) maintains a database of mislabelled or cross-contaminated human cell lines, partly to raise awareness of misidentified cell lines and also to promote authentication testing as an effective means of combating these errors.

Improve Quality, Save Money

To scientifically validate results and monitor Master Cell Banks (MCBs), the DNA profile of cell cultures should always be determined and compared with the data in cell databases.

We recommend implementing DNA monitoring of your cell cultures as a standard procedure at regular intervals. This not only identifies incorrect cell cultures but also detects cell cultures contaminated with foreign cells.

Proactive monitoring improves research and production quality, and saves time and money.

Cell Line Authentication

Our standard cell line authentication service utilises the high-resolution GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit from Thermo Fisher (Applied Biosystems™). We test your sample material for all important markers:

D3S1358, vWA, D16S539, CSF1PO, TPOX, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D2S441, D19S433, TH01, FGA, D22S1045, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, SE33, D10S1248, D1S1656, D12S391, D2S1338, amelogenin (AMEL) as a sex marker, DYS391 as a Y-STR marker, and a Y-Indel polymorphic marker.

Our Services

  • DNA extraction from cell pellets (dry or frozen)
  • DNA profiling using the Thermo Fisher GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit (Applied Biosystems™) from extracted DNA
  • DNA data matching with databases
  • Issuance of an official certificate (recognised by peer-reviewed journals)

On request

  • SNP genotyping / Copy Number Variation / Monitoring of genetic instability
  • Species identification
  • Cell line authentication via sequencing (e.g., plasmid)
  • Contamination control of non-human origin
  • Cell line banking

Our Quality Promise

We collaborate with numerous research groups and companies in the academic and pharmaceutical sectors, enabling us to offer you customised service that delivers additional values. Modern, state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified staff guarantee fast and reliable analyses.

All our processes are documented and adhere to strict guidelines. Our laboratory is accredited according to ISO 17025:2018. Further information regarding our accreditations and certifications can be found here.