What Is Cell Line Authentication, And How Does It Work?

Cell lines play an integral role in biomedical research. These immortalized cells cultivated from a single source are important for studying diseases, drug development, and various biological processes. However, maintaining the authenticity and accuracy of cell lines is critical to ensure the reliability & credibility of scientific results. This is where cell line authentication appears as a crucial method, safeguarding the integrity of research outcomes.

Errors Detected in Cell Line Authentication Test

Some common errors are:

• Cross-Contamination: Contamination can occur during the handling or processing of samples, leading to inaccurate results. To prevent cross-contamination, labs should follow stringent protocols for cell culture, such as regular testing, etc., to maintain the cell lines' authenticity.

• Misidentification: Misidentification can occur when a cell line is wrongly labelled or identified. This may involve using the incorrect source for a cell line. It can result from lab mix-ups or wrong record-keeping.

• Genetic Drift: Cell lines can experience genetic mutations over time due to long culture or suboptimal handling. Moreover, cells may lose their originality and become different kinds of cells of gene alteration.

What is the Process Involved in Authenticating Cell Lines?

Cell line authentication uses the method of short tandem repeats or STRs. These short tandem repeats are like genetic "markers," consisting of repetitive sequences of 3-6 DNA base pairs. These sequences vary among people and can be repetitive in specific patterns.

The ATCC/ANSI/ASN-0002 method uses short tandem repeats profiling for human cell line authentication. First, the short tandem repeats are amplified by PCR or polymerase chain reaction with a specific sequence.

The resulting profile undergoes capillary electrophoresis to determine the number of repetitions present in the sample. The DNA profile is then compared with a reference sample to confirm the cell line's origin.

Advantages of Cell Line Authentication DNA Test in India

The following are some advantages of cell line authentication in India:

• Ensuring Research Integrity: Authenticating cell lines ensures the precision and dependability of research results. This helps in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of research results.

• Preventing Cross-Contamination: It prevents cross-contamination of cell lines, which can happen during storage, handling or experiments. Authenticating confirms that the cell lines used are uncontaminated and pure.

• Supports Drug Development:Cell line authentication is critical for drug testing and discovery in pharmaceutical research. It guarantees that the results accurately represent the impact of potential drugs on the intended cell type.

• Quality Control: Regular authentication is part of quality control in labs. It helps monitor and maintain the integrity of cell cultures, minimizing the risk of using contaminated or misidentified cell lines.

• Supports Regulatory Compliance: Many scientific journals and regulatory bodies need cell line authentication to maintain research credibility and standards. Complying with these standards is critical for publication and funding.

• Cost and Time Efficiency: Though the initial testing might add to costs, it can save resources and time in the long run by avoiding repeated experiments due to unreliable cell line identity.

DNA Forensics Laboratory - For Accurate Cell Line Authentication in India

DNA Forensics Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. is among the most reputable and trusted companies for DNA test services in India & abroad. They offer accurate, dependable, & conclusive cell line authentication in India at a competitive cost. Moreover, they are the only private company that offers legal DNA tests in India for various honorable law courts.
They have more than 400 collection centres for sample collecting in India and abroad. One can visit their nearest collection centre to give their sample for DNA testing. Moreover, they provide cell line authentication test reports within 10-15 business days.