Cell Culture FAQ: How to establish a new cell line in your lab?

Cell lines purchased from reputable commercial or non-profit suppliers such as cell banks are carefully tested for their identity and absence of contaminants. This guarantees a comfortable safety when starting the cultivation of these cells. In contrast, incoming cell lines obtained from external laboratories and collaborators have to be analyzed independently with regards to their quality and identity before accepting them for general use.

But regardless of the source, consider the following aspects when cultivating a new cell line:

• Establishment of a two-tiered cryopreservation system (Master Cell Bank and Working Cell Bank) including cryopreservation at the lowest passage).

• Detailed documentation (unique cell line name, origin, characteristics, quality and identity control testing, list of cryopreserved stocks).

• Quality and identity tests at regular intervals (microbial contaminations, cross-contamination or misidentification).

Related links

• Bacterial contamination
• Mycoplasma contamination
• Fungal contamination
• Yeast contamination
• Eukaryotic contamination