Authentication: A Standard Problem or a Problem of Standards?

PLoS Biol. 2016 Jun 14;14(6):e1002477. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002477. eCollection 2016 Jun.

Abstract

Reproducibility and transparency in biomedical sciences have been called into question, and scientists have been found wanting as a result. Putting aside deliberate fraud, there is evidence that a major contributor to lack of reproducibility is insufficient quality assurance of reagents used in preclinical research. Cell lines are widely used in biomedical research to understand fundamental biological processes and disease states, yet most researchers do not perform a simple, affordable test to authenticate these key resources. Here, we provide a synopsis of the problems we face and how standards can contribute to an achievable solution.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research / methods*
  • Biomedical Research / standards
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Gene Expression Profiling / standards
  • Genotyping Techniques / methods*
  • Genotyping Techniques / standards
  • Humans
  • Microsatellite Repeats / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Publications / standards
  • Reference Standards
  • Reproducibility of Results

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work. ACD is affiliated with CellBank Australia as an honorary scientist. She was a member of the workgroup responsible for writing the ASN-0002 Standard; this work was performed in a voluntary, unpaid capacity. RMN is a full-time employee of Gilead Sciences.