Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference

Download a copy of the ICLAC Terms of Reference (updated 22 August 2022).

ICLAC is an independent committee with support from the scientific community.

The Terms of Reference describe what we mean by false or misidentified cell lines, and why we focus on authentication testing.  It sets out the committee’s goals – to make misidentified cell lines more visible; to promote authentication testing as an effective solution to the problem; and to encourage harmonization of guidelines and standards on these topics.

The Terms of Reference also set out the ground rules for the committee, and define some commonly used terms.  The three most common terms used in this field – authentication, cross-contamination, and misidentification – are copied to the Definitions page.

Image Credit: Tom Deerinck, NIGMS, NIH (via NCI Visuals Online). Public domain.