Mycoplasma species are often found as contaminants in cell cultures, virus stocks and other cell-derived chemicals. BaseClear can detect (and identify) these Mycoplasma rapidly and reliably using a validated PCR test.

Due to their small size (~0,15 um) and their resistance to common antibiotics such as penicillin and streptomycin, Mycoplasma contamination of cell cultures usually escapes notice. The presence of Mycoplasma however, can cause adverse effects on cells in culture, including changes in growth, morphology, metabolism, protein synthesis and replication.

Requirement for quality control standards
Nowadays, testing for Mycoplasma infection is an essential requirement for reaching quality control standards for laboratories concerned with research, production and maintenance of cell lines. Since Mycoplasma contamination is a recurring problem that can cause non-reproducible results in research
and productivity losses in industry, BaseClear recommends routine diagnostic testing of cell cultures on a monthly basis, as well as prior to cell-banking and cryopreservation.

Validated PCR test
BaseClear uses a validated PCR test for rapid and reliable detection of Mycoplasma contamination in various in situ biologicals, including cell cultures and virus stocks. The test is based on specific amplification of conserved regions in the 16S ribosomal RNA genes of the Mycoplasma genome. This allows for detection of most of the Mycoplasma, Acholeplasma and Ureaplasma species tested so far.

Using this highly sensitive test, we can detect as little as 2-50 Mycoplasma particles of more than 25 different Mycoplasma species, including M. fermentans, M. pirum, M. hominis, M. argininii, M. pneumoniae, Acholeplasma laidlawii and others.

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To maximize test sensitivity, cell lines should be cultured in the absence of antibiotics for 3 days without refreshment of culture media. If cells are cultured for a longer period, inhibiting substances may accumulate in the medium. Collect ~1 ml of cell-free culture supernatant, preferably in screw cap tubes. To maximise test sensitivity, supernatants should be collected from 90-100% confluent cell cultures. Sample tubes should be wrapped in absorbing material and enclosed in a watertight container (e.g. a 50 ml tube) to prevent leaking during transport. The minimum number of samples per order is 5.

You receive…
A full report of the Mycoplasma tests on your samples via e-mail and regular mail, including a table summarizing our interpretation of the test results.

Optional: Microbial identification
Positive Mycoplasma samples can be further characterised by identification using MicroSEQ at reduced costs. MicroSEQ is a revolutionary system for the identification of microbiological samples, based on PCR and sequencing of the 16S/28S rRNA genes. This system provides accurate and reproducible results without the need for time-consuming growth. MicroSEQ is suitable for fast screening of even the most difficult samples. Read more >>

Optional: Cell line identification
Are you using the correct cell line? BaseClear offers recommended tests to verify your cell line for publishing. BaseClear offers a fast, reliable STR profiling (DNA fingerprinting) service under ISO17025 guidelines, and can be used to assist in the verification of your human cell line. Read more >>