Cell line authentication and contamination assessment for human cell cultures

Cell line authentication is an essential step in ensuring the integrity and reproducibility of biomedical research. The major contaminants in cell cultures are fungi, viruses, bacteria and contamination from other cell lines of the same or different species. Contaminants alter the physiology and properties of cells, compromising the results of experiments. In this study, an improved multiplex assay was developed, detecting mycoplasma and mouse cell line contamination, while performing DNA typing. The assay was tested on cell cultures, the reproducibility of the assay was verified, sample collection and procedures were optimized and limit of detection for contaminants were determined. A survey was conducted to assess the interest in an in-house cell line authentication and contamination assessment service.