Introduction

Abstract

Within the last five years the number and variety of insect cell lines has increased rapidly; approximately 20 different cell lines were discussed in the preceeding chapter. As the availability of insect cell lines increases, and as their use becomes more widespread, the accidental contamination of these lines with microorganisms or cells from other lines becomes more likely. Such contamination of cell lines from higher animals has already been thoroughly documented, and evidence exists that it has already occurred in insect cell lines (see the Discussion by Greene and Charney in this chapter). Methods have been developed for detecting such contamination in cell lines from higher animals. It is now essential that these methods be tested and modified, where necessary, to permit the identification of insect cell lines at least to the species of origin.