Lab experts use tiny living units called cells to study how the human body works. These human cell lines help researchers find cures for diseases and test new medicines and vaccines before they are used officially by patients. For such experiments, it’s crucial for experts in biomedical research to know whether the cell line they’re working on is correctly identified.
Failure to do so could result in serious issues, such as unreliability of their reports, which can end their career. For this reason, the cell line authentication procedure is utilized before starting the research.
What is Cell Line Authentication?
Cell line authentication is a procedure of confirming the identity of the cell lines that are being studied for a specific purpose. Such purposes could be the cure of a disease, the medicine, or developing a new vaccine.
This process is a quality control check for lab cells. In simple terms, it is like a fingerprint test for cells. Every human cell has a unique DNA pattern, known as DNA markers. As the cell grows in a lab over the course, it can get contaminated or genetically drift. This happens when a different, faster-growing cell line invades the container and takes over the existing cell line sample inside it. Moreover, it can also happen if a researcher accidentally uses the same tool for two different types of cells.
During this procedure, experts look at specific parts of the DNA. A DNA sample of the cell line of interest is compared with the existing huge database of DNA profiles. If the match is found in the database, the authenticity of the cell lines is validated. However, if there’s no match found, then the cell lines are considered contaminated or genetically drifted. This verification ensures that the data gathered during an experiment is accurate and reliable.
Reasons for Cell Line Authentication
There are three prominent reasons why human cell line authentication becomes a necessary requirement before the research. Such reasons are:
- Misidentification of Cell Lines
In some cases, newly discovered cell lines are wrongly identified, or sometimes, they’re accidentally wrongly labeled. Such misidentified cell lines lead to a blunder when a lab expert begins their research without authenticating the cell line.
- Genetic Drifting
With time, the cell lines stored in the lab lose their original identity and become completely different. This can significantly impact the research-based work done without confirming the original identity of the cell lines.
- Cross-Contamination
Cross-contaminated cell lines occur when the cell lines accidentally get mixed with other types of cell lines, bacteria, or environmental contaminants. It mostly happens during the handling and storing of the cell lines.
When Should Cell Lines Be Authenticated?
It is not enough to test a cell line just once. To keep science safe and accurate, authenticating human cell lines at specific times becomes a mandatory practice:
- Discovering a New Cell Line – mislabelling or misidentification of cell lines is the most common problem. Moreover, even if a cell line comes from another lab, it must be authenticated immediately.
- Before the Project – It gives an idea to the researcher regarding the original identity of the cell lines to avoid the wastage of time and resources.
- During Cell Division – As cells divide (passaging), the risk of genetic change increases.
- Before Storing – It is important to know that the cells being stored are correctly identified for the future use case.
- Before Publishing Research – Scientific journals demand the most recent proof that the research based on a specific cell line of interest is accurate and reliable.
How to Authenticate a Cell Line?
A cell line authentication work is performed using the following steps:
Step 1 – Sample Collection
A small portion of the cell line of interest is carefully extracted from the cell culture to prevent environmental contamination and other bacteria.
Step 2 – DNA Extraction
The DNA is then extracted from a small portion of the cell line using special chemicals. The DNA sample is then purified to avoid the interference of the chemicals during the analysis.
Step 3 – STR Profiling
The most common method for authentication is called Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiling. STRs are short repeating sequences in different regions of a DNA. This repeating sequence varies from person to person. By looking at many different STR locations, the lab creates a unique genetic profile for that specific cell line.
Step 4 – Data Analysis
Computers help lab experts read those repeating DNA patterns. The output looks like a series of peaks on a graph. Each peak represents a specific genetic marker for determining cell line identity.
Step 5 – Final Result
The DNA patterns are then compared with the existing database of DNA profiles. If a match is found, cell lines are authenticated. But if there’s no match found, cell lines are considered cross-contaminated or genetically drifted.
Cell line authentication relies on these steps. Therefore, by following these steps, authenticated cell lines become ready to use for research purposes.
Why Is Cell Line Authentication Necessary?
There are several reasons why keeping track of cell identities is a priority in the scientific community:
- Preventing Mistakes: In the past, many research publications have been published using misidentified cell lines. This means the conclusions of those papers might be wrong.
- Saving Money: Cell line research is expensive and time-consuming. Spending years and millions of dollars on a study only to find out the cells were wrong is a huge waste of resources and time.
- Getting Published: Most high-quality scientific journals now require proof of cell line authentication before publishing a researcher’s work.
- Securing Funding: The research sponsors often demand that labs prove they are using the correct materials.
- Protecting Patient Safety: A medicine or vaccine created on the basis of wrong cell lines may not work correctly on the patients. Moreover, in some cases, it may lead to serious health issues.
Why Choose DNA Forensics Laboratory for Cell Line Authentication?
DNA Forensics Laboratory, also known as DFL, has a highly trained staff of experts who specialize in procedures like cell line authentication tests in India. Moreover, with cutting-edge technology and years of expertise, our team of experts utilizes precise procedures to generate accurate results that are reliable and trustworthy.
DFL is the only private DNA testing company in India whose DNA test reports are legally admissible in the honorable courts of law. Besides, we also offer DNA testing services for personal peace of mind, legal disputes, sponsored immigration, and ancestry testing.
For more information or to book a cell line authentication test, call us at +91 8010177771. Alternatively, you can also send a message on WhatsApp at +91 9266615552.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does it mean to authenticate a cell line?
Ans: The authentication of a cell line means verifying whether the cell line of interest that researchers are working on hasn’t lost its original identity. It’s because cell lines have a tendency to get easily contaminated.
Q2. What are the methods of cell line authentication?
Ans: Cell lines are authenticated using the Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), which are unique repeating sequences within the DNA. These sequences are then compared with a massive database of existing DNA profiles to find the potential match.
Q3. Where to find the ISO-accredited cell line authentication services providers in India?
Ans: DNA Forensics Laboratory is one of the best ISO-certified labs in India that provides accurate cell line authentication services.
Q4. Are there any online platforms in India for submitting cell line samples for authentication?
Ans: Yes. You can contact DNA Forensics Laboratory experts and ask them to collect your sample for cell line authentication.
Q5. Which Indian companies provide fast turnaround cell line authentication results?
Ans: DNA Forensics Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. provides a fast turnaround time for cell line authentication. You will get your report in 10-15 working days.
