I have a problem with the identity of a cultured cell line. This cell line was
derived from a lymph node metastasis of human melanoma some years ago (1978).
Since I have started working with the line (an unusual line for a melanoma
cell). I have been concerned that this line may have been cross contaminated
with rodent cells (Only a hunch as most of the melanoma antigens tested for
are negative). I asked our local cytogenetics lab to look at the karyotype
of the line, and they found an average of 56 chromosomes (nothing atypical for
a human cultured cell). None of the chromosomes were identical to normal human
ones, although some were close, and quite dissimilar to normal mouse
chromosomes. The lab used a test called G11 (Giemsa staining at pH 11) to
differentiate between rodent and human chromosomes - one supposedly stains
mainly blue (human) and the other magenta (rodent). Does anyone know how
reliable this test is? and is it good enough to really differentiate between
human and rodent chromosomes.
If anyone could be of any help, could they please email me a response as I dont
get to check the newsgroups too often.
Thanks
Rick Thorne
The University of Newcastle, Australia
//I wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't important//
