BE SURE AUTHENTICATE

20% to 33% or more of cancer cell lines tested were mistakenly identified...
Wall Street Journal, 2012

What is Cell Line Service?

Human Cell Line Authentication examines 17 highly polymorphic genetic markers using STR DNA analysis. A DNA profile is generated which uniquely identifies the cell line used in research.

Mycoplasma Detection unveils common bacteria found in cell culture. Unlike most bacterial and fungal contaminants, Mycoplasma contamination cannot be easily detected without further analysis. These changes can adversely affect the experimental results derived from infected cell lines.

DDC Medical provides the testing service and certification strongly recommended by many peer reviewed journals for publication and research funding agencies like the NIH.

Who Should Authenticate Cell Lines?

All cell-based research should include Cell Line Authentication as part of quality assurance and control in the laboratory. There is a major issue with the level of contamination and misidentification of cell lines, which has received national press and a notice from the National Institutes of Health.

Even primary cell lines can fall victim to misidentification or contamination. Poor cell culture technique or shared experiment in a lab can lead to cell line contamination. As startling as this news is to researchers, now there is a way to identify cell lines that are misidentified or contaminated.

Results are available in 3-5 business days from receipt of sample.

5 Reasons To Choose DDC Medical:

1. We examine 17 highly polymorphic genetic markers vs. 8 recommended by the ASN-0002. This provides a much more accurate profile with a higher power of discrimination.
2. We offer a combination product that bundles both Cell Line Authentication and Mycoplasma Detection - using the same sample.
3. We provide a certificate of analysis to document a cell's identity for grants and publication of research findings in peer reviewed journals.
4. DDC is a world leader in STR DNA analysis and holds numerous accreditations for testing services. Each test is reviewed by PhDs who are experts in this field of analysis.
5. DDC Medical has a dedicated customer service team. Go to CellAuthentication.DDCMedical.com for more details.

It's Simple! Just Place Your Order Through Fisher Scientific

When Fisher Scientific receives your order, a Collection Kit will be sent direct from DDC, which includes the following:

• A Sample Submission Form
• A Cell Line DNA Collection Card
• Complete instructions
• Shipping Instructions and Return Service (if applicable)

Sample size: 100 microliters of the cell suspension containing 500 - 1,000 cells per microliter for Cell Line Authentication; 100 microliters of the cell culture media used to support cell line growth for Mycoplasma Detection.

Results: These are obtained online 3-5 days after DDC receive the sample.

Questions and Answers

When should I test?

It is recommended to test at the beginning, middle and end of research. It is appropriate to test anytime during research and at the end of your research project.

How likely are my cell lines contaminated?

Somewhat likely. An article on the front page of a 2012 Wall Street Journal quotes up to 33% or more of all cancer cell lines are misidentified.

Can I just get a new line from a cell line provider?

That may be part of the problem. Many lines purchased from repositories are misidentified or contaminated. Repositories are unlikely to provide a free replacement because they can claim contamination occurred outside their facility.

If it is contaminated, how might this impact my research?

Your research results may be invalid because the cells are contaminated which leads to genetic modifications to the cell's DNA or the work was started with a misidentified cell line.

Is this test required to publish findings or receive grants?

Not yet, but it is strongly recommended by the NIH and over 10 national peer reviewed research publications, including the American Association of Cancer Researchers' publications. Reviewers often request documentation of authentication prior to publication.

If it's so important, why have I not heard about this?

Misidentified cell lines are not always front page news, but the movement toward authentication is fast becoming recommended throughout the industry, recognized as a standard lab practice and regarded as part of responsible research methods.