referanseceller

Referanseceller, or reference cells, are cell lines or populations used as standard references in experimental workflows to ensure data comparability and reliability. They provide known, stable signals or properties that can be used to calibrate instruments, normalize measurements and benchmark assay performance across runs or laboratories.

In practice, referanseceller serve multiple roles. They function as positive or negative controls to assess assay sensitivity and specificity, enable normalization of gene expression, protein abundance, or metabolic readouts, and help correct batch effects in high-throughput screening, transcriptomics, proteomics, cytometry and other cell-based assays. By comparing experimental samples to a well-characterized reference, researchers can quantify relative changes and improve reproducibility.

Authentication and quality control are central to the use of referanseceller. Cells are typically authenticated by methods such as STR profiling, tested for mycoplasma and other contaminants, and tracked for passage number and culture conditions. When possible, multiple references or a panel of standardized lines are used to capture variability and reduce bias.

Common sources for referanseceller include established cell line repositories and vendors, such as ATCC, DSMZ or JCRB, which provide well-documented, authenticated lines with known characteristics. Widely used lines—for example HeLa, HEK293 or MCF-7—may serve as practical references because their properties are broadly reported and reproducible under standard conditions, but the exact choice depends on the biological question and assay.

Limitations include that cell lines do not fully replicate primary tissues and can drift over time with passage. Therefore, referanseceller are intended as tools for standardization and quality control rather than direct substitutes for in vivo controls or primary cell systems.