Human tumour cell lines and tissue samples are widely used in biomedical research in the field of oncology, as they represent a representative model system for functional studies and identification of diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets.

As far as human cell lines are concerned, the issues of mis-identification and microbial contamination has been highlighted since decades, but it has not yet been completely solved. Cross-contamination of human and animal cell lines is a repeated and frequent cause of scientific misrepresentation. The short tandem repeat profile international reference standard for human cell lines will be presented, as well as the Cell Line Integrated Molecular Authentication database (CLIMA), that allows to link available authentication data to actual cell lines distributed by cell banks. The validation of a PCR based mycoplasma assay will also be discussed, based on European Pharmacopoeia standards.

The protocols of preservation and quality control of tumour samples in the Genoa Biological Resource Centre will also be presented.

Barbara Parodi, born in Genova, March 22nd, 1956. In 1983 degree in Medicine and Surgery, University of Genova.

Since 1984, employee at the National Cancer Institute (IST) of Genoa; since 2003, responsible of the core facility of IST “Biological Bank and Cell Factory”.

Research activity: Studies on T - B cell interaction in the immune response, role of HLA in the immune response.

Expertise: management, quality assurance and quality control in biobanks / Biological Resource Centres; Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Institutional role: Executive manager of the IST Biological Resource Centre (CRB-IST). Chair of the subgroup “Parameters” of the international working group “BioResource Impact Factor”; member of: the Scientific Advisory Board of the Telethon Genetic Biobank Network; the VAS (Vascular independent research and education European organization) European Teaching Panel; the Scientific Advisory Board of the CHRIS (Cooperative Health Research in South Tyrol) Study; the Steering Committee of the Italian national node of BBMRI; the Regional network of biobanks of Liguria. Partner in BBMRI, GBRCN, MIRRI. Coordination of the Italian participation to the preparatory phase of the European biobank infrastructure BBMRI. Qualified person for the production of cells for therapy, nominated by the Italian Agenzia del Farmaco (decree N. AIDT – 9/2004, L. 178/91). Delegate of the Italian Minister of Research at the OECD Task Force on BRCs. Compilation of the OECD Best Practice Guidelines for Biological Resource centres.

Author of 51 scientific publications on national and international Journals, 3 international guidelines and 79 abstracts.