MOUSE Cell Line Authentication Testing

Summary

Labcorp's cell line authentication testing division (formerly known as Genetica Cell Line Testing - a LabCorp brand), provides reliable, fast and affordable authentication of mouse cell lines, stem cell lines, xenografts, and more utilizing STR DNA technology; current clients include major research and cancer institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies within the United States and throughout the world.

Inadvertent cell line contamination has been a major problem for biomedical researchers with estimates that 18-36% of all cell lines are either misidentified or cross-contaminated with another cell line [1]; cell line integrity is of utmost importance since the validity of the data obtained often depends on the identity of the cell line or stem cells used. The National Institutes of Health [2] recommends validation of cell lines for grant applications and many journals such as those published by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) [3] and Nature have guidelines for cell line authentication prior to publication .

The short tandem repeat DNA profiling (STR DNA profiling, STR DNA typing, STR DNA test, and also known as DNA fingerprinting) offers the greatest value for mouse cell line identity verification (mouse cell line authentication). The process of obtaining a mouse DNA profile using highly polymorphic STR repeats includes the isolation of DNA from a mouse cell line or other research specimen, the amplification of targeted areas of that DNA, and analysis of the amplified product using a genetic analyzer. STR DNA typing generates reproducible data in a format suitable to mouse reference cell line database comparison. Labcorp's laboratory procedures for mouse cell line authentication comply with the guidelines set forth for human cell line authentication by the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) SDO Workgroup ASN-0002 Standards document [4], as well as with the requirements and recommendations of other leading scientific organizations, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [8]. A mouse cell line authentication Standards document has not yet been released and a statistical approach to mouse cell line authentication is under evaluation in the scientific community.

Labcorp provides reliable, fast, and affordable mouse cell line authentication services, using STR DNA typing to assist the scientific community in accurate identification of mouse specimens used in research and drug development. Our standard mouse cell line authentication test involves generating STR DNA profiles of the submitted cell lines or other research specimens for 18 independent genetic sites located in the mouse genome; the test also includes two HUMAN markers to detect cross-contamination with human specimens/cell lines (will also detect African Green Monkey cells/DNA).

At Labcorp, we make cell line authentication easy and affordable. Simply click on the "Pricing" tab for service costs, call us or submit a "Contact Us" form to get started. We will then assist you in setting up your mouse cell line authentication test.

Once we receive your samples, you will have your mouse cell line authentication report and/or data typically within 2-3 business days!

STR DNA profiling offers a fast, affordable, and effective way of mouse cell line authentication:

Multiplex STR technology provides high resolution typing with 18 genetic markers specific to the mouse genome; test includes two HUMAN markers for the detection of human DNA and/or African Green Monkey DNA
Highly informative and unambiguous
Highly sensitive
Rapid - Results typically available in 2-3 business days from receipt of samples
Inexpensive - ask about volume discounts
Generates reproducible data in a format suitable for reference mouse cell line database comparison

Mouse Cell Line Authentication Report Options:

Option #1 - Data Only - Excel worksheet of all analyzed STR profiles of all samples submitted in one batch plus peak data (electropherogram); great choice for routine mouse cell line authentication testing as part of your internal quality control system; also a great choice for researchers with a tight budget. We provide a step-by-step "how-to" document to help you determine whether your mouse cell line is authentic or not.

Option #2 - DNA Profile Report of tested mouse cell line's STR profile plus peak data (electropherogram); signed report showing STR DNA profile of submitted mouse cell line - economical choice for when a signed report is needed. We provide a step-by-step "how-to" document to help you determine whether your mouse cell line is authentic or not.

Option #3 and #4 - Comparative Analysis Report of tested mouse cell line's STR profile compared to a reference mouse cell line database STR profile (Option #3) or submitted mouse reference specimen (Option #4; from mouse donor OR earlier passage of submitted cell line) plus peak data (electropherogram) - includes percent identity and percent match calculations between the submitted mouse cell line and a specified reference mouse cell line or sample - all inclusive option for mouse cell line authentication testing as this report will indicate whether the submitted mouse cell line/sample is authenticated, misidentified or "unique" among repository STR profiles.

**Electropherogram data (peak data) is included FREE with every sample you submit**

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Sample Information

Sample Types Accepted

Genomic DNA (ship at ambient temperature)
Fresh cell pellets (ship on dry ice/ice packs)
Frozen cell pellets (ship on dry ice/ice packs)
Dried cell pellets (ship at ambient temperature)
Other specimens such as tissue (FFPE and fresh) and blood (inquire on shipping requirements) - additional cost may be incurred

Sample Preparation Requirements

Ask your Labcorp cell line testing representative for DETAILED specimen preparation requirements and a copy of the Submission Form prior to shipping.

Fresh or frozen cell pellet:

Please provide between 100,000 and 5 million cells (ideally we need at least 1 million cells; note the total cell count on the Submission Form) in a 2.0 mL skirted screw-cap tube (see image to left; please do not submit samples in any type of cryovial, those do NOT fit in a tabletop centrifuge).
For fresh cells, wash the cells in buffer prior to shipping to remove any traces of media or trypsin and note the storage medium on the Submission Form (i.e. buffer, etc.).
For frozen cell pellets be sure to note the storage medium on the Submission Form (e.g., cryopreservative, etc.).
Must be shipped on dry ice/ice packs overnight

Dried cell pellet:

Please provide between 100,000 and 5 million cells (ideally we need at least 1 million cells; note the total cell count on the Submission Form) in a 2.0 mL skirted screw-cap tube (please do not submit samples in any type of cryovial, those do NOT fit in a tabletop centrifuge).
Wash the cells in buffer prior to drying the pellet to remove any traces of media or trypsin
Please be sure that the pellet is completely dry (no residual liquid) using a vacuum system like a SpeedVac (speed drying only - no/low heat only)
Can be shipped at ambient temperature

Genomic DNA: We accept the DNA extract for testing at a reduced cost per sample.

Please put the DNA concentration of the sample on the Submission Form

Minimum volume: 20uL
Minimum concentration: 10ng/uL
We can accept less than this but please notify us first
A DNA:RNA ratio of 1.7-2.0 provides the best results
Can be shipped at ambient temperature

If the sample you wish to submit is not listed above, please Contact Us or call us at 1-800-IDENTITY (433-6848) or (1-513-985-9777 INTL) to see if we can help you with your specific sample.

It is recommended that mouse cell line authentication be performed:

At an early passage - in order to establish the cell line identity (especially for "in-house" created cell lines; compare to patient tissue or sample)
Before beginning a new series of experiments
Every two months that the culture is actively growing
When a novel phenotypic behavior is noted
When the cell line is not behaving as expected and/or experimental results are not reproducible
After creating derivatives of any source cell line
Following phenotypic selection (e.g., for drug resistance, etc.)
At the end of a series of experiments and/or project
Before freezing down stocks or working banks
Before submission of grant applications and/or before manuscript submissions

These steps are crucial to the success of the research project and to the acceptance of the research in the scientific community. Please refer to the suggested references for additional details on cell line authentication.

Results You Can Trust!

Labcorp is one of the most experienced providers of DNA identity testing services worldwide. As a leading DNA testing service provider, we are committed to providing our clients with high quality cell line authentication results delivered with unmatched service and satisfaction, product specialization and technical expertise.

Learn more by clicking on our "About Us" page.