SciScore Rigor FAQ
Cell Line Confirmation - What is this?
Cell line Confirmation: expected when a cell line is detected
Cell Line Authentication
A statement detailing how the cell lines used were authenticated (e.g. short tandem repeat analysis). This is only required when cell lines are detected. Please see more information about authentication of specific cell line types (human, mouse etc) from the International Cell Line Authentication Committee (iclac.org). Please note, because cell lines can experience contamination events or genetic drift during the experiment, the ICLAC recommends that authentication should be completed at least three times during an experiment to determine if cell lines are authentic at the outset, the middle and at the end of the experiment.
To compare your STR profile to a known profile please see the Cellosaurus.org database and search for your cell line. In many cases, there are full STR profiles available within the record (example HeLa cell STR profile https://www.cellosaurus.org/CVCL_0030), if there is no profile for the cell line you are working on, please submit yours to the Cellosaurus database for future scientists.
** It is important to look up RRIDs for all cell lines because over 1000 are problematic and the number keeps growing, check your cell line before staking your reputation on an unreliable reagent **
If we find a statement about cell line authentication, then SciScore expects to find the following items (sex, randomization, blinding, power);
Example: MOLM-14 cells were authenticated by STR profiling and flow cytometry.
Cell Line Contamination Check
A statement addressing the mycoplasma contamination status of the cell lines used. This is only required when cell lines are detected.
If we find a statement about contamination of cell lines, then SciScore expects to find the following items (sex, randomization, blinding, power);
Example: All cell lines were obtained from ATCC and tested negative for mycoplasma contamination.