title: Is cell culture a risky business? Risk analysis based on scientist survey data.
abstract: Cell culture is a technique that requires vigilance from the researcher. Common cell culture problems, including contamination with microorganisms or cells from other cultures, can place the reliability and reproducibility of cell culture work at risk. Here we use survey data, contributed by research scientists based in Australia and New Zealand, to assess common cell culture risks and how these risks are managed in practice. Respondents show that sharing of cell lines between laboratories continues to be widespread. Arrangements for mycoplasma and authentication testing are increasingly in place, although scientists are often uncertain how to perform authentication testing. Additional risks are identified for preparation of frozen stocks, storage and shipping.
authors.affiliation: CellBank Australia, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.affiliation: CellBank Australia, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capes-Davis
authors.affiliation: IP Pragmatics Pty Ltd, Level 4, 112 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eggington
authors.affiliation: IP Pragmatics Pty Ltd, Level 4, 112 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Ronnie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Georghiou
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Lily I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Huschtscha
authors.affiliation: CellBank Australia, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moy
authors.affiliation: Operations Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Power
authors.affiliation: CellBank Australia, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.|Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Roger R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Reddel
authors.affiliation: CellBank Australia, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.|Bioinformatics Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Jonathan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Arthur
mesh_terms: D056667:Biometric Identification; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D059232:Laboratory Personnel; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014015:Tissue Banks
keywords: authentication; cell culture; cell lines; contamination; mycoplasma