Cell line authentication

Human cell line authentication is available in our lab using microsatellite markers.

The GenePrint 24 system allows co-amplification and detection of 24 human loci (22 autosomal STR loci and Amelogenin and DYS391 for gender identification). These loci collectively provide a genetic profile with a random match probability of <1 in 2.92 x10 9 (calculated based on the 10 markers shared with GenePrint 10 kit). Identified genetic profile is compared to publicly available data to count allelic identity. Please note, that genetic profile may not be available for your cell line in public databases. The analysis will, however, produce a genetic fingerprint in such cases.

Service description

The laboratory work is done by dedicated personnel with nearly 20 years of experience in microsatellite work. Our laboratory uses an electronic lab note book (ELN) for documentation of the laboratory workflow and an in-house made LIMS system for management of genotype and sample data.

Projects are managed and quality controlled by experienced specialists. The quality control includes manual checking of genotypes with ThermoFishers Genemapper software.

The results are compared to genotypes found in ATCC STR database of Human Cell Lines, JCRB STR database of Human Cell Lines, ICLC STR database of Human Cell Lines (CLIMA2.1 search available at http://bioinformatics.hsanmartino.it/clima2/) and the DSMZ Online STR database (http://www.dsmz.de/services/services-human-and-animal-cell-lines/online-str-analysis.html) as well as the Cellosaurus resource (https://web.expasy.org/cellosaurus/). The identity estimates are calculated according to the allele information found from these sources and identities of the cell lines confirmed according to the International Cell Line Authentication Committee (ICLAC) guidelines. A report of the authentication results is supplied to the project.

All received and produced data is stored in a database at FIMM. FIMM guarantees the storage of your data for one year.

Pricing

For any pricing information please contact Päivi Lahermo, paivi.lahermo(at)fimm.fi or Kati Donner, kati.donner(at)fimm.fi or log into iLab system.

How to get started

Customer provides

1) Documentation

A FIMM Service Agreement must be signed before the project can start in our laboratory. If your project is required by the law to have an ethical permit you need to supply us with a copy of it.

2) Sample information

Please contact paivi.lahermo(at)fimm.fi or kati.donner(at)fimm.fi before sending us samples. In addition, fill up the cell line submission form found in iLab.

We need information about the expected cell line, date of harvest and preferably passage number for each sample for comparison and reporting.  Please contact us for detailed instructions.

3) DNA samples

For the analysis we need 6 µl of good quality DNA in concentration of 5 ng / µl in nuclease-free water.

Note! We recommend that the concentration is measured with two independent methods, e.g. in addition to NanoDrop spectrophotometer with PicoGreen or Qubit fluorometric quantification. If you use only one method it should be PicoGreen, Qubit or other similar method.

 

DNA shipping instructions

 

DNA may be shipped in tightly capped tubes or on securely sealed 96-well plates. Seal the plates securely using either an adhesive seal, strip caps or a removable heat-sealed lid. Use Adhesive PCR foil (e.g Cat. # AB-0626, Thermo Fisher Scientific Abgene) only for shipments at room temperature. Make sure to attach the foil seal properly to each well by rubbing the surface with soft cloth or lab wipe. Make sure to protect the seals from punches. If you stack multiple plates, put cardboard or wadding layer between the plates.

Note! If you send the plates on dry ice or by air an adhesive foil seal must not be used. To prevent sample leakage use removable heat-seal or strip caps instead!

Whenever possible, please avoid shipping on Thursdays and Fridays to avoid the samples arriving over the weekend. Pack the samples so that the plates or seals are not damaged during shipment. If you stack multiple plates put cardboard or wadding layer between the plates.

Please ask us for instructions before sending the samples via air courier!

Plate naming

Mark the plate name (the same name as in the FIMM basic information form), sample concentration and date information clearly on the front side of the plate (see example on left).

Frozen samples

Frozen plates should be placed in the shipping container with enough dry ice/blocks to keep the samples frozen during shipment and any delays that may occur with the courier.

 

Shipping address

University of Helsinki

FIMM Technology Centre

Genotyping lab

Room: F215a

Biomedicum 2U

Tukholmankatu 8

00290 HELSINKI

FINLAND