STR Authentication: Using the ATCC STR Database

The ATCC STR database includes STR profiles standards for all distributed cell lines in our collection. We use STR analysis to screen all human cell lines for authenticity and purity before distribution to provide a true baseline for researchers using these cell lines. Comparing an STR profile to the database provides a measurable relationship between tested cells and accepted standard cell lines.

8 loci are used to authenticate a cell line for research and publication purposes. STR profiles assume 2 alleles; the presence of more than 2 alleles in DNA from normal cells indicates genomic heterogeneity, which is typically equated with contamination or genetic instability. Tumor and transformed cell lines are more prone to genetic drift which can accelerate with passage number, media content, and other factors. Some cell lines may have more than 2 alleles at a loci as they are generally not normal cells (see the example).

How to search the database

Step 1. Go directly to the STR database and log in to your ATCC profile

You must be logged in to your ATCC profile to access the database. If you do not have a profile, please create one.

 

 

 

Step 2. Search the database using one of two options

Search by ATCC number to obtain an STR profile standard OR you may input a profile to run it against the ATCC database.

 

 

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Option 1. Search by ATCC Number

Enter an ATCC product number and click the "Search" button. In the below example, we have entered CCL-2, which are HeLa cells.

 

 

The CCL-2 HeLa cell STR profile appears at the top of the page.

 

 

 

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Option 2. Search by STR profile to match against others in the database

Input a profile in the fields to run against the ATCC public database. In this below example, we entered a profile from a cancer research paper. 

 

 

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Option 2. Practice search by STR profile to match against others in the database

In the below example, we entered a profile to run against the ATCC public database.

 

 

 

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