Don't Add Extra Variables; Verify with Bio-Synthesis Cell Line Identification

Cell line contamination has plagued the scientific community for decades. Cells used in basic and
applied research can become altered in culture, either by contamination from other cell lines or by
spontaneous genetic changes. Bio-Synthesis has announced their new service in providing cell line
identification and authentication.

Lewisville, TX, December 15, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Bio-Synthesis is pleased to announce a new human
cell line authentication service (called "tissue authentication" or "tissue validation" in oncology) for
laboratories working with HeLa, cancer cell and other cell lines.

Cell line contamination has interfered with scientific studies for years, but only recently has it come to the
community's attention. In 2007, the NCI/ADR-RES breast cancer cell line was found to be contaminated
with OVCAR-8, sparking the retraction of over 300 academic papers and compromising years of work.[1]
Only months later, the NIH called for all grant applicants to address the threat of cross-contamination
with cell line identification measures.[2] Increasing numbers of journals, notably Biotechniques, Cancer
Research, and In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology now require authentication on all cell lines
used in studies submitted for publication. The FDA is even more strict, requiring cell line authentication
as a condition for drug approval.[3]

Over the years, several different teams of researchers have noted the failure of phenotype and provenance
to provide reliable information:

Of 1211 cell lines published between 1989 and 2007, 23 percent were found to have discrepancies in p53
status (Berglind et al).[4]
Of 40 ostensibly thyroid cancer cell lines, 17 were found to lack unique genetic profiles, and some were
confirmed as having come from colon cancer or melanoma sources (Schwepp et al).[5]
Among hematopoetic cell lines, 14.8 percent were found to be contaminated with other hematopoetic cell
lines (Drexler et al).[6]

Bio-Synthesis employs short tandem repeat analysis, the technique most highly recommended by the
ATCC SDO, to confirm the identities of clients' submitted samples. Standard cell line authentication
services start as low as $95 for a profile of preextracted DNA. Complete cell line identification packages,
however, include not only AmpFSTR Identifiler profiling but PowerPlex 1.2, StemElite, and
High-Resolution Luminex HLA DNA Genotyping. In-depth services include comparison of the client's
cell line to a known sample, blind analysis of the client's cell line without any preexisting knowledge of
its purported origin, comparison of the client's sample to a DNA database and and cross-contamination
detection covering nine species.

Bio-Synthesis' accredited cell line testing facilities have been the home of many successful projects.
Bio-Synthesis invites readers to visit www.BioSyn.com for more details on this and other services.

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For further information: www.biosyn.com/cellauthentication.aspx

Heidi Fazelli, [Sales Director]

Bio-Synthesis Incorporated
(800) 227-0627

[1] Diamond, P.F. (Jan. 21, 2010). Cancer Cell Line Identity Crisis. Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology News. [Electronic 9-22-2010]

[2] National Institutes of Health. Notice regarding authentication of cell lines. Retrieved 9-22-2010.

[3] Wanjek, Christopher. The problem, policy, history and fix: Cleaning Up Cell-Line
Cross-Contamination. The NIH Catalyst. March-April 2008. Web. September 29, 2010.

[4] Barrallon, R.; Bauer, S.R.; Butler, J.; Capes-Davis, A.; Dirks, W.G.; Elmore, E.; Furtado, M.; Kline,
M.C.; Kohara, A.; Los, G.V.; MacLeod, R.A.F.; Masters, J.R.W.; Nardone, M.; Nardone, R.M.; Nims,
R.W.; Price, P.J.; Reid, Y.A.; Shewale, J.; Sykes, G.; Steuer, A.F.; Storts, D.R.; Thomson, J.;
Taraporewala, Z.; Alston-Roberts, C.; Kerrigan, L. (Jul. 8, 2010). Recommendation of short tandem
repeat profiling for authenticating human cell lines, stem cells, and tissues. In Vitro Cellular and
Developmental Biology - Animal. [Electronic 9-22-2010]

[5] Barrallon, R.; Bauer, S.R.; Butler, J.; Capes-Davis, A.; Dirks, W.G.; Elmore, E.; Furtado, M.; Kline,
M.C.; Kohara, A.; Los, G.V.; MacLeod, R.A.F.; Masters, J.R.W.; Nardone, M.; Nardone, R.M.; Nims,
R.W.; Price, P.J.; Reid, Y.A.; Shewale, J.; Sykes, G.; Steuer, A.F.; Storts, D.R.; Thomson, J.;
Taraporewala, Z.; Alston-Roberts, C.; Kerrigan, L. (Jul. 8, 2010). Recommendation of short tandem
repeat profiling for authenticating human cell lines, stem cells, and tissues. In Vitro Cellular and
Developmental Biology - Animal. [Electronic 9-22-2010]

[6] Drexler, H.G, Dirks, W.G., MacLeod, R.A.F. (Oct. 1999). False human hematopoietic cell lines:
cross-contaminations and misinterpretations. Leukemia, 13(10), p. 1601-1607.

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Contact Information:
Bio-Synthesis Inc.
Ian Flynn
972-420-8505 ext. 209
ian@biosyn.com
www.biosyn.com

Online Version of Press Release:

You can read the online version of this press release at: http://www.pr.com/press-release/284399

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