Ancestry matters: Building inclusivity into preclinical study design

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Genetics
• Translational science

Background:

• Human cell lines (CLs) are fundamental tools in biomedical research.
• Current cell line collections exhibit limited ancestral diversity.
• This lack of diversity impacts the generalizability of research findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical need for genetic diversity in human cell lines.
• To explain the importance of diverse cell-based models for equitable and translatable preclinical research.
• To propose actionable strategies for enhancing inclusivity in cell line utilization.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on cell line diversity and its impact on research.
• Analysis of current gaps in ancestral representation within cell line repositories.
• Development of recommendations for improving diversity in study design.

Main Results:

• Genetic underrepresentation in commonly used human cell lines is a significant issue.
• Lack of diversity limits the applicability of preclinical findings across diverse populations.
• Implementing inclusive study designs can enhance research equity and translatability.

Conclusions:

• Increasing genetic diversity in human cell lines is crucial for advancing biomedical science.
• Equitable preclinical research requires a concerted effort to diversify cell-based models.
• Practical steps can be taken to foster greater inclusivity in the design and execution of research studies.