Human cell line authentication: the critical first step in any project using human cell lines

Short tandem repeat (STR) typing is a standard procedure used in many laboratories for the authentication of human cell lines. This technology, which is based on the informativeness of known polymorphism of numerous loci to uniquely identify a human cell line, has allowed for direct-amplification of human DNA stored on FTA(®) paper. We describe an application of this technology to create a unique STR profile by direct amplification of HCT 116 (ATCC(®) CCL-247™) cell line DNA, a cell line commonly used in colon research. The ability to perform direct-amplification of DNA opens up the possibility of using FTA(®) paper as a way to maintain long-term storage of DNA samples from a cell line and other human tissues, such as buccal cells.