Cell Line Authentication

The JH-Nucleic Acid Technologies lab offers Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiling for cell line authentication.

Our services use STR profiles to confirm the identity of a human line by comparison to a known profile or to establish an identity profile for a new human cell line generated locally.

Authentication is recommended:

• When a new line is established or acquired.
• Before freezing.
• Every two months that the culture is actively growing.
• If the performance of the line is not consistent or results are unexpected .
• Before publication.

Cell Line Authentication Service Choices

The JH-Nucleic Acid Technologies Lab offers two levels of service support for STR profiles.

Kits

Sample Preparation for Human Cell Line Authentication

The GRCF Nucleic Acid Technology (NAT) group accepts purified DNA (please provide >10µl at >10ng/µl of DNA), cell pellets (dried or frozen, between 100,000 and 5 million, preferred, pellet should be visible) or frozen cell aliquots (cryopreservation tube) for analysis. A visible cell pellet is required for combined authentication and mycoplasma testing. A DNA isolation charge applies when submitting cell pellets or frozen cell aliquots for authentication service. We can also extract DNA from other sources – please inquire.

Please inquire about DNA extraction from Non-Human sources.

What You Will Receive

Standard Service

You will receive a signed cell line authentication report that includes a STR profile table of your cell line with data suitable for comparison to reference databases, a graphic profile (electropherogram), and a table with the raw data for the alleles with base pair size, peak height, and peak area. The signed report provides a STR profile for the cell line submitted, it does not automatically authenticate the cell line. Authentication is determined by comparison to the STR profile of the original donor tissue or repository cell stock. The STR profile is used to verify the cell line is human, evaluate profile consistency between provisionally related cell isolates, detect cross-contamination with another human cell line (intra-species contamination), and can be used to compare to profile databases, which we strongly recommend. Additional information is provided with links to profile databases and information about interpreting your cell line results. The report is suitable for proof of cell line authentication that may be required by journals and grant funding bodies, though you will need to check the profile of your line against published profiles. If preferred, the GRCF provides databases searches with our Plus Profile Search service.

Standard Service Plus Profile Search

You will receive a signed cell line authentication report that includes a STR profile table of your cell line, an graphic profile (electropherogram), and a table with the raw data for the alleles with base pair size, peak height, and peak area, plus a database search summary of repositories ATCC and DSMZ. The report is suitable for proof of cell line authentication that may be required by journals and grant funding bodies.

Turnaround Time

Samples submitted for STR profiling are run once a week, on Tuesday, with results emailed within two weeks of receipt.

Johns Hopkins Customers

Drop off samples in PCTB G20 by 4PM on Monday for inclusion in that week’s processing schedule. If a sample needs to be repeated it will be included the next time the assay is run.

External Customers

Ship samples to the lab to be received by 11AM Tuesday for inclusion in that week’s processing schedule. Ship at ambient temperature or with ice packs. Ship samples with the customer information page of the request form to:

GRCF Nucleic Acid Technologies Lab, Johns Hopkins University, 725 N. Wolfe Street, PCTB G20, Baltimore, MD 21205

Phone (443) 287-7948

Email the courier tracking number and request form to [email protected]

Pricing

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