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Cell Lines

Cell Lines

A cell line is a population of cells grown in vitro that can be subcultured over several generations. Normal cells cease to divide after a certain number of cell divisions, a process known as replicative senescence. This number, called the Hayflick limit, was conceptualized by Leonard Hayflick in 1961 when he observed that fetal cells grown in culture could only divide 40-60 times. This limit is due to the shortening of the telomeres during each round of cell division, preventing cell division...

Lineage Commitment

Lineage Commitment

Commitment is the process whereby stem cells:

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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Patient Derived Cell Culture and Isolation of CD133+ Putative Cancer Stem Cells from Melanoma

Patient Derived Cell Culture and Isolation of CD133⁺ Putative Cancer Stem Cells from Melanoma

Published on: March 13, 2013

Cell line provenance.

R Ian Freshney¹

¹Cancer Research UK Department of Medical Oncology, Glasgow University, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, U.K. (E-mail, I.Freshney@beatson.gla.ac.uk.

|November 13, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ensuring cell line authenticity and preventing contamination are crucial for reliable research and industrial applications. Implementing rigorous record-keeping and regular testing guarantees cell line provenance and enhances experimental reproducibility.

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Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Cell Biology
Scientific Research

Background:

Cultured cell lines are vital in academic research and industrial biotechnology.
Cell line misidentification and microbial contamination frequently compromise their value.
Available technologies can address these issues with proper application.

Purpose of the Study:

To emphasize the importance of cell line authentication and contamination testing.
To highlight the necessity of comprehensive record-keeping for cell line provenance.
To underscore how these practices enhance the value and reliability of cell lines.

Main Methods:

Maintaining detailed records from cell line initiation or receipt.
Incorporating data on donor, tissue origin, and maintenance history.
Including authentication assays and regular contamination checks.
Storing provenance information in a backed-up database.

Main Results:

Properly documented and authenticated cell lines possess greater value.
Cell lines with established provenance are more suitable for industrial validation.
Enhanced provenance increases the likelihood of reproducible experimental results.

Conclusions:

Cell line authentication and contamination control are essential for scientific integrity.
Comprehensive record-keeping establishes a traceable cell line provenance.
Verified cell lines are indispensable for reproducible research and industrial biotechnology.