Catherine and James Galbraith, Oregon Health and Science University, Knight Cancer Institute

Institutional Best Laboratory Practices for Authentication of Cell Lines and Tissue Samples

Institutional Best Laboratory Practices for Authentication of Cell Lines and Tissue Samples

to Ensure Valid, Reproducible and Robust Research

This set of Institutional Best Laboratory Practices is designed for the authentication of cell lines and tissue samples used in biomedical research.

The document sets out four best practices, which include:

  • Verification of cell line identity via the Cellosaurus and ICLAC websites.
  • Genotyping by short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping.
  • Identification of any non-human species present in human cultures.
  • Mycoplasma testing of all cell cultures.

The Institutional Best Laboratory Practices include detailed recommendations for how these four best practices can be implemented in research laboratories.

The document replaces a model policy for authentication of cell lines and tissue samples that was developed previously by the same authors for this purpose.

The Institutional Best Laboratory Practices for Cell Line and Tissue Sample Authentication was written by Christopher T Korch and Rebecca E Schweppe, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus.