Cytogenetics and Cell Authentication Core
Facility Services
Guillermina Lozano, Ph.D. is the Director and Asha S. Multani, Ph.D. is the Co-Director of the Cytogenetics and Cell Authentication Core (CCAC) in the Department of Genetics at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The Cytogenetics and Cell Authentication Core is located on the Mitchell Basic Science Research Building (BSRB) S13.8414 and S13. This facility offers conventional as well as molecular cytogenetic services including karyotyping, analysis of genomic instability, fluorescence in situ hybridization, telomere analysis, Spectral Karyotyping, species identification, inter-species and intra-species cell line contamination, STR fingerprinting service for cell line authentication, mycoplasma contamination testing and distribution of cell lines.
Cell Line Validation
Between 18% and 36% of cell lines are either misidentified or cross-contaminated (ICLAC misidentified cell line list and CCLC misidentified cell line list). A recent notice from NIH requires cell line validation for grant applications to be considered of the highest quality. Journals such as Science, Nature and PNAS also require cell line validation for publication. Cell lines that have been extensively characterized at the DNA, RNA and protein levels will allow investigators to choose the correct cell line for their research. Pre-characterized cell lines will decrease the cost to researchers since this will eliminate repeat analysis. Thus, cell line validation is a critical issue for both scientific publications and grant applications.
MD Anderson's Cell Line Authentication Policy
MD Anderson's policy (ACA#1044) now requires all researchers to validate their cell lines at least once per year (Our Core highly suggests to validate cell lines every 6 months).
Meet the team
Left to right: Sen Pathak, Asha Multani, Jin Ma
Education
We will take the time to understand your project and plan for the preparation of samples for analysis. We will help with interpretation of the results and upon request provide a detailed description of method as well as microphotographs (color or black and white) suitable for inclusion in reports or manuscripts to the investigators.
References
- Lacroix M. Persistent use of "false" cell lines. International Journal of Cancer, 2008. 122(1):1-4.
- Bravo NR, Gottesman M. Notice Regarding Authentication of Cultured Cell Lines. 2007 [cited 2008 1/28/08].
- Rae JM, et al. MDA-MB-435 cells are derived from M14 melanoma cells--a loss for breast cancer, but a boon for melanoma research. Breast Cancer Research & Treatment, 2007. 104(1):13-9.
- Chatterjee R. Cell biology. Cases of mistaken identity. Science, 2007. 315(5814):928-31.
- Drexler HG, et al. False leukemia-lymphoma cell lines: an update on over 500 cell lines. Leukemia, 2003. 17(2):416-26.
- MacLeod RA, et al. Widespread intraspecies cross-contamination of human tumor cell lines arising at source. International Journal of Cancer, 1999. 83(4):555-63.