Evaluating the genomic and sequence integrity of human ES cell lines; comparison to normal genomes

► Cytogenetic, array and complete genome sequence were used to assess the integrity of human ES cell lines. ► FISH methods can detect low level contamination of cultures by genomically aberrant cells. ► Copy number variation assessment shows the vast majority of CNVs occur in regions common to normal human genomes. ► Complete genome sequence ensures integrity of key gene families (tumor suppressors/oncogenes). ► Sequence analysis can identify ABO blood type, HLA and disease-associated alleles.