Guidelines for the Use of Cell Lines in Biomedical Research

Cell-line misidentification and contamination with microorganisms, such as mycoplasma, together with instability, both genetic
and phenotypic, are among the problems that continue to affect cell culture. Many of these problems are avoidable with the
necessary foresight, and these Guidelines have been prepared to provide those new to the field and others engaged in teaching
and instruction with the information necessary to increase their awareness of the problems and to enable them to deal with them
effectively. The Guidelines cover areas such as development, acquisition, authentication, cryopreservation, transfer of cell lines
between laboratories, microbial contamination, characterisation, instability and misidentification. Advice is also given on
complying with current legal and ethical requirements when deriving cell lines from human and animal tissues, the selection
and maintenance of equipment and how to deal with problems that may arise.