Establishment and Application of a 16‐Loci <scp>STR</scp> Method for Rat Cell Line Authentication

Cell line cross-contamination has been a longstanding issue in cell biology, with short tandem repeat (STR) analysis widely regarded as the gold standard for cell line authentication. However, until now, there have been few reports focused on authenticating rat cell lines. In a significant advancement, we have developed a 16-loci STR method specifically for rat cell line authentication. Using this method, we successfully distinguished 26 different rat cell lines, demonstrating the high resolution and reliability of our approach. Furthermore, we have generated and made publicly available a comprehensive rat STR database, which is unprecedented in the field. This database facilitates data comparison and validation, providing researchers with a critical resource to ensure the accuracy and integrity of their cell-based studies. Our work marks the first report on a dedicated rat STR method and the establishment of a corresponding STR database, representing a major step forward in advancing the reliability and reproducibility of rat cell line research. This development not only enhances the ability to authenticate rat cell lines but also sets a new benchmark for maintaining the purity and validity of experimental outcomes in this important model organism.