MOLECULAR Testing & cell line authentication
Perfectus Biomed specialise in qPCR technology and STR profiling for cell line authentication.
We provide molecular support in addition to our typical culture-based studies, providing cell line authentication, pathway targeting and screening of samples for the presence of pathogenic viruses and bacteria. Molecular assays include:
- Cell line authentication (human STR profiling assays)
- Non-human cell line identification (CO1 Barcode assay)
- Mycoplasma contamination detection/sterility (qPCR)
- Murine/human/xenotrophic virus pathogen detection (qPCR)
For a full list of our molecular services, please get in touch.
If you would like futher information on any of the below or if you would like to discuss in detail how we can support your work, please get in touch .
CELL LINE IDENTIFICATION:
Authentication of cell lines and other key biological materials enhances reproducibility of research findings through increased scientific rigor and transparency. Authentication plans are therefore required for many grant applications to ensure authenticity of the cell line throughout multiple timepoints during continuous use in projects.
During a project, cell line authentication is recommended when:
- A new cell line is established or acquired
- A new series of experiments have begun
- Cell lines are routinely passaged
- Inconsistent cell behaviour or unexpected results are seen
- Passage number is limited as cell lines mutate over time
- You are preparing to publish
- Cell stocks are being frozen to verify purity
Best practice guidelines recommend cell line testing:
- Prior to submitting a paper for review or beginning a new grant
- To prevent cross-contamination
- If cells give erratic and unreproducible results
- If a change in morphology or growth characteristics are observed
- When creating a new cell line
- When receiving cells from a non-accredited laboratory/provider
- When creating cell stocks for storage
What we offer:
Perfectus Biomed work to the ATCC ASN-0002-2011 standard, with the ability to test at 24 loci using Promega’s Geneprint 24 system to prevent misidentification of closely related cell lines. The 24 loci that will be tested include: TH01, TPOX, vWA, Amelogenin (for gender identification), CSF1PO, D16S539, D7S820, D13S317 and D5S818. These are the nine markers as outlined within ASN-0002-2011. We provide clients with a signed report that covers the basic requirement for grant/journal submissions. Reports will include the electropherogram analysis and interpretation of the Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profile compared to the published standard profile, where required.
PATHOGEN DETECTION:
Mycoplasma can attain high densities within cell cultures with an absence of visible morphological changes. Undetected contamination by mycoplasma species or other pathogens invalidate work, and so regular sterility testing is critical for continuous cell lines.
Pathogen detection testing is recommended:
- When creating a master cell bank or working cell bank
- Before beginning a new series of experiments
- When the cell line behaves abnormally
- Every two months that the cell culture is actively growing
- Prior to publication of experimental data
SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS:
For pathogen detection, cell line authentication and STR analysis we accept the following formats of cell lines:
Fresh or frozen cell pellets
- Please provide a minimum cell number of 1×106 cells/mL.
- Fresh cells must be washed in appropriate buffer to remove media/trypsin traces. Please specific storage media used when filling out our Submission Form.
- When overnight shipping samples please ship with icepacks or dry ice for longer shipping periods.
Dried cell pellet
- Please provide a minimum cell number of 1×106 cells/mL.
- Fresh cells must be washed in appropriate buffer to remove media/trypsin traces. Please specific storage media used when filling out our Submission Form.
- Please ensure the tube has no residual liquid using Vacuum pumps.
- Dry samples may be shipped at ambient temperatures.
Genomic DNA
- Extracted DNA is also accepted at a reduced cost to cell pellets. Please note the DNA concentration of the sample on the Submission Form.
- Please provide DNA at a minimum concentration >10ng/µl with a total volume of 20µl.
- If you are not able to meet the requirements stated please contact to see if we can accommodate your specific sample size.
- Extracted DNA samples may be shipped at ambient temperatures.
Viral primers include:
Murine Viruses
Mycoplasma spp.
Mycoplasma pulmonis
Mouse hepatitus virus (MHV)
Minute virus of mice (MVM)
Mouse parvovirus (MPV1-5)
Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)
Sendai virus
Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM)
Murine norovirus (MNV)
Reovirus 3 (REO3)
Mouse rotavirus (EDIM)
Ectromelia virus
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)
Polyomavirus
Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDEV)
Mouse adenovirus (MAV1,MAV2)
Mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV)
K virus
Mouse thymic virus (MTV)
Hantaan virus
Corynebacterium bovis
Corynebacterium kutshceri
Acholeplasma laidlawii
Human Viruses
Mycoplasma spp.
Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV1)
Human immunodeficiency virus 2 (HIV2)
Human T-lymphotrophic virus 1 (HTLV1)
Human T-lymphotrophic virus 2 (HTLV2)
Hepatitus virus A
Hepatitus virus B
Hepatitus virus C
Hantaviruses (Hantaan, Seoul, Sin Nombre viruses)
Herpes simplex 1 (HSV1)
Herpes simplex 2 (HSV2)
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)
Human herpes virus 6 (HHV 6)
Human herpes virus 8 (HHV 8)
Human adenovirus (HAdV)
Human papillomavirus 16 & 18 (HPV)
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)
Varicella virus (VZV)
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Treponema pallidum (Syphilis)
Xenotropic Virus Testing
XMRV
Pre-XMRV 1
Pre-XMRV2
XMLV
Bxv-1
MLV N417
Biofilm gene expression for:
S. aureus NCTC 8325
C. albicans ATCC MYA 2867
P. aeruginosa NCIMB 10421 (PA14)
Get in Touch
We are happy to help with your microbiological requirements and with any other queries you may have.