What Is Cell Line Authentication?
Cell line authentication (CLA) uses short tandem repeat (STR) profiling as a "fingerprint" to confirm the identity of cell lines — the gold standard in cell identification. By verifying your cell lines, CLA helps free you from risks of cross-contamination or misidentification, ensuring your experiments are built on a solid foundation.

Why Is Cell Line Authentication Important?
Cell contamination can occur at any time, in any lab. Misidentified or contaminated samples can cause a huge waste of time, effort, and money. With our CLA service, experiments are protected, and research remains reproducible.


When Is Cell Line Authentication Required?
Some grant organizations and research publications require cell line validation for studies they accept, making it more critical than ever to have access to this service.
-
The International Cell Line Authentication Committee (ICLAC) currently lists over 590 misidentified cell lines. Studies show that 18-36% of some popular cell lines are misidentified or cross-contaminated.
-
4% of submitted manuscripts are rejected due to severe cell line-related issues.
-
The NIH mandates authentication of key biological resources, including cell lines.
-
The FDA requires validation of all materials, such as cells, used in Investigational New Drug (IND) applications to ensure compliance and quality.

Don't Let Your Research Get Left Behind
CLA is becoming an industry standard for publication. Stay up-to-date on the latest requirements with our service.
We're Ready for Your Order
Submit, verify, and move forward with confidence — cell line authentication in just four steps!
Order Online
Share your cell line details with us at order.psomagen.com (cell line/identifier and passage number may be required).
Submit Samples to Psomagen
We accept cell, tissue, and gDNA samples for CLA. See our sample preparation guide below for packaging instructions.
STR Profiling
Our labs use ABI 3730xl & GeneMapper software® and ThermoFisher's CLA GlobalFilerTM kit (24 loci).
Report
We’ll send your report via email. You can access it anytime in your client portal for future comparison.
Let's get started!
How to Ship Your Samples
Sample Type
|
Quality Recommended
|
Shipping Condition
|
Dropbox Usage
|
Genomic DNA
|
Concentration: ≥20 ng/µL
Volume: ≥20 µL
|
Ship on dry ice
|
Yes
|
Fresh cell
|
1x106 cells
|
||
Frozen cell
|
|||
Dried cell pellets
|
|||
Fresh tissue
|
35 mg
|
If your desired sample type is not in the list above, please contact us directly.
We strongly recommend shipping all samples on dry ice, especially cells and tissues. If alternative methods (such as ice packs or ambient temperature) are used, ensuring the sample stays frozen upon arrival is the client’s responsibility. Any deterioration of the samples as a result of poor shipping conditions will also be the client’s responsibility.
Samples should be submitted in secure-top tubes or Eppendorf tube sealed with parafilm. Do NOT fill the tube up to the top with buffer/media (filled halfway or lower is preferred). No petri dishes or flasks accepted.
Readable labeling of the samples required. Label MUST match the sample name on the submission order form.
If submitting gDNA, a high sample quality is required. gDNA extraction from cell or tissue samples can be added to any service tier at an additional cost.
When to Authenticate Cell Lines
Before submitting your manuscript to scientific journals
When submitting a grant application in alignment with NIH requirements

When acquiring any new cell line
When creating new cell lines
Every 10 passages of cell culture

As part of quality control to maintain cell integrity
As a control measure when beginning a new study
When observing inconsistent, unexpected or irreproducible results
Before freezing stocks or creating working cell banks
Our Workflow
STR multiplex PCR: We use ThermoFisher's CLA GlobalFilerTM kit (24 STR loci including 3 sex-determining markers) for precise results.
Data interpretation: We calculate the matching % using public databases (e.g. Cellosaurus, ATCC) or previously submitted cell lines.
Scale to Your Needs
All three CLA service options at Psomagen are designed to verify the identity of human cell lines using ThermoFisher’s CLA GlobalFiler™ kit, which covers all 13 STR loci recommended for cell line authentication, along with an additional 11 loci.
We follow the ANSI/ATCC ASN-0002 2022 guidelines, with all processes carried out in ISO-certified facilities. Since our facilities are CLIA-certified, our CLA service meets the same rigorous quality standards—our service ensures reliable results every step of the way.
Option 1:
Single STR Profile
Our most affordable option, single STR profiling is a great choice if you’re looking for routine quality control and a budget-friendly workflow.
Recommended for:
- Researchers or institutions conducting internal QC testing
- Clients who prefer to compare STR profiles themselves
Option 2:
Comparative with Database
With this option, you’ll get comparative analysis with an STR database — perfect if you need expert insights into your STR results!
Recommended for:
- Research institutions and companies needing comparative analysis with an STR database
- Clients requiring a signed report
- Clients requiring expert commentary and interpretation
Option 3:
Comparative with Two Samples
Get everything included in Option 2, plus a direct comparison of your two submitted samples. This is a good choice for tracking cell line changes or checking for contamination.
Recommended for:
- Researchers comparing previous (lower passage) vs. current cell passages (higher passage)
- Researchers tracking cell line contamination & changes
What's Included
![]() Option 1:
Single STR Profile |
![]() Option 2:
Comparative with Database
|
![]() Option 3:
Comparative with Two Samples
|
|
Allele table (STR profile)
|
✓
|
✓
|
✓
|
Peak plot (Electropherogram)
|
included by request
|
✓
|
✓
|
Results saved for future comparison
|
✓
|
✓
|
✓
|
eSigned report
|
✓
|
✓
|
|
Matching % (comparison with public database or previously submitted sample)
|
✓
|
✓
|
|
Comprehensive interpretation of results (expert's comments)
|
✓
|
✓
|
|
Comparative analysis report between two submitted samples
|
✓
|
More Targets for More Confidence
Our CLA service includes 24 loci, including the 13 loci recommended by ANSI/ATCC ASN-0002-2022 guidelines. This expanded test offers superior discrimination for cell line authentication, lowering the Probability of Identity (POI) and making it significantly less likely for different cell lines to share the same STR profile.
In addition to Amelogenin, our test includes 3 sex-determining markers. This ensures greater reliability by mitigating the risk of microdeletions or mutations.
With an encompassing range of loci, our service enables seamless comparisons with public STR databases like Cellosaurus and ATCC.
Improved Resolution
We uses a 6-dye system to significantly enhance the resolution of STR profiling and provide clearer differentiation. This leads to more accurate and reliable identification, even with challenging or degraded DNA samples, making it an ideal solution for precise cell line verification.
Reliable Database Set up
Our CLA service is ideal for creating your own cell line databases. 24 loci testing and the 6-dye system generate highly accurate and detailed cell line profiles. Construct your own databases that support quality control, research, and biopharmaceutical applications, ensuring the integrity and reliability of cell line collections.
13 + 1 STR Loci
13 recommended by ANSI/ATCC ASN-0002-2022 guideline
|
15 + 1 STR Loci
Other CLA Providers
|
21 + 3 STR Loci |
|
D8S1179
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
D21S11
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
D7S820
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
CSF1PO
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
D3S1358
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
TH01
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
D13S317
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
D16S539
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
vWA
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
TPOX
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
D18S51
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
D5S818
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
FGA
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
Amelogenin
|
● | ● | ⬤ |
D2S1338
|
● | ⬤ | |
D19S433
|
● | ⬤ | |
SE33
|
⬤ | ||
DYS391
|
⬤ | ||
Yindel
|
⬤ | ||
D10S1248
|
⬤ | ||
D1S1656
|
⬤ | ||
D22S1045
|
⬤ | ||
D2S441
|
⬤ | ||
D12S391
|
⬤ |
Why Choose Psomagen?
Cell Line Authentication with a Trusted Provider
Industry-Leading STR Profiling
With an extended STR 24 loci (ThermoFisher’s CLA GlobalFilerTM), our STR service significantly reduces the Probability of Identity (POI), ensuring exceptional accuracy, minimizing errors, and enhancing research reliability.
Flexible Service Options
We offer flexible options that scale your research or business. Choose from our report options to perfectly match your needs and budget.
Fast Turnaround Time
Your time is precious! For major orders, get results in just 1-2 business days so you can keep your research on track.
Cost-Effective Quality
Save up to 40% compared to market rates — high-quality service at a budget-friendly price!
Accredited Facilities
Our CLA service exceeds international standards (ANSI/ATCC ASN-0002-2022). With decades of genomics experience, we operate in CLIA-compliant facilities and are ISO 9001 certified, giving you confidence in every result.
Expert Technical Support
Our technical team supports you from sample submission to final results.
Easy Sample Submission
Cell, tissue, or gDNA samples are all welcome. Simply drop off your samples at our dropbox.