Cell Line Testing

ERIK, ULAR Guideline, Revised 12/12/2025

It is good scientific practice to screen cell lines whether they are rodent or human-derived biologics, and especially when being engrafted in immunodeficient animals. Additionally, Cell line testing is required when utilizing ULAR housing rooms designated for severely compromised rodents.

Contamination can pose various threats, such as compromising research results, animal welfare issues, and pose health threats to personnel.

Ohio State works with Charles River to make cell line testing available and convenient for researchers by allowing labs to independently create an account and submit samples as outlined below.

Getting Started: Account Setup

To submit samples for testing, you will need LTM (Laboratory Testing Manager) access:

1. Visit the: Charles River account request page
2. Select "Requesting access to an existing customer account"
3. Reference: #44082- The Ohio State QA Lab CELL LINE TESTING 2011 Wiseman Hall

Lab Services will set up your access and send you links to tutorial videos and user guides.

Available Testing Panels

Pricing per sample (as of January 2026):

• Single Agent PCR (C. bovis PCR or Mycoplasma genus) - $84.79
• Two Agent PCR (C. bovis and Mycoplasma genus) - $131.78
• OSU CLEAR PCR Panel (C. bovis, Mycoplasma genus, LDV, Coronavirus, Parvovirus) - $244.58
• Mouse Essential CLEAR w/ MCMV (20 Agent) - $555.19

Sample Preparation Guidelines

Standard Cell Line Samples

• Recommended: One aliquot of 200μL per cell line for CLEAR panel testing
• One aliquot covers all PCR assays (Rodent and Human CLEAR panels)
• No minimum cell number required
• Note: If concentration exceeds 5×10⁷ cells/mL, indicate on submission form
• Mycoplasma testing: Passage without antibiotics at least once before submission
• Cells do not need to be viable (PCR targets nucleic acid segments)

Special Sample Types

• Antibody/Protein/Sperm/Embryo: Minimum 25μL required
• High Protein Concentration: Indicate if >1.5 mg/mL
• Tumor Tissue: Minimum 50mg (approximately 2mm³), store at -20°C

Shipping Requirements

• Frozen cells in media: Ship overnight frozen on dry ice
• Cells in buffer tubes (CRL-provided): Ship at ambient temperature
• DMSO samples: Indicate DMSO presence on submission form for proper disposal

For detailed submission requirements and sample specifications, refer to the LTM catalog.

Obtain tubes: Request via LTM supply tab.

Results and Reporting

• Select your username when creating orders to receive results via email
• Cleary identify Primary Investigator in notes section when creating an order 

Contact Information

• If you have account set up issues or questions regarding scheduling a submission, shipping requirements, collection supplies, and/or results, reach out to the testing lab (Charles River - LabServices@crl.com) directly.
• OSU ULAR QA: OR-ULARQAStaff@osu.edu (general questions)
• For veterinary consultation, contact the Director of Quality Assurance, Dr. Carrie Freed, (freed.36@osu.edu)

Article ID: 127
Created: December 12, 2025
Last Updated: January 14, 2026

Online URL: https://ohiostateresearch.knowledgebase.co/article/cell-line-testing-127.html