In the March issue of Office of Research Integrity, a newsletter from the Department of Health and Human Services, an article on cell lines documented the efforts of a group of international scientists who successfully brought the problem of misidentifying cell lines to the attention of NIH. The group estimates that 15-20 percent of cultured cell lines are misidentified or cross-contaminated. Documentation has shown that improperly characterizing cell lines could impede efforts to replicate published findings and therefore the advancement of science.

The ad hoc group of scientists declared May 2008 as Cell Line Authentication Global Awareness Month. The group has asked academic institutions, research institutes, and industrial laboratories worldwide to develop activities on cell authentication for its members during the month of May.

As a result of the group's efforts, NIH has issued a Notice Regarding Authentication of Cultured Cell Lines (number NOT-OD-08-017). Details on this notice can be found here:

 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-017.html

For additional information on Cell Line Authentication Global Awareness Month, visit: http://cellid.cua.edu