Cambio - Excellence in Molecular Biology

Cell Culture Contamination Control

Cell Culture Contamination Control: Detection

Mycoplasma Detection

As an efficient contamination control measure we recommend frequent routine testing of cell culture materials with Venor®Gem Mycoplasma Detection Kits. These PCR- and qPCR-based mycoplasma assays allow fast (within a few hours), simple, effective and sensitive detection of mycoplasma-contaminated cell cultures in any standard molecular biology laboratory.

Regular mycoplasma testing and control procedures can significantly help in avoiding the costly consequences of contamination ensuring safe biopharmaceuticals and reliable scientific results.  Many scientific journals currently do not accept submissions of cell-based studies without evidence that mycoplasma testing has been performed.

To meet different customer needs Minerva Biolabs has developed a range of Venor®GeM mycoplasma detection assays using conventional PCR or qPCR methods which enable rapid and reliable identification of mycoplasma in cell cultures, culture supernatants and tissue culture media.

Conventional PCR

  • Venor®GeM Classic allows fast, reliable and time-saving routine monitoring of mycoplasma contamination in cell culture supernatants, media and biopharmaceuticals in research and industry by conventional PCR.

  • Venor®GeM OneStep is a kit for direct detection. It requires minimal pipetting, the kit includes all reagents required for PCR in a ready-to-use lyophilized reaction mix. Only samples or controls need to be added prior to PCR.

  • Venor®GeM Advance is designed for direct detection. Designed to reduce the total assay time and the pipetting steps, the kit contains PCR strips of tubes, each pre-dispensed with all reagents necessary for each PCR reaction, including the polymerase. For additional convenience, the gel loading buffer and dye are already included in the reaction buffer. After PCR, the products can be loaded directly on an agarose gel.

Real-time PCR (qPCR)

Our qPCR kits are TaqMan®-based qPCR Assays with labelled probes:  FAM® channel (mycoplasma) and HEX® channel (internal control to check for PCR inhibition from contaminants in sample).  So not only does the qPCR approach remove a lot of hassle, but the internal controls also give you reassurance that your negatives are not false.

  • Venor®GeM qEP utilises quantitative, real-time PCR (qPCR) for fast (approx. 3 h) and reliable screening of cell culture supernatants for mycoplasma contamination. The kit can be used in combination with any type of real-time PCR cycler able to detect the fluorescence dyes FAM® and HEX®. For clinical diagnostics in which human samples are tested we recommend using this kit as it conforms to EP 2.6.7, USP <71> and JP G3. It is suitable for both research and industry where certified compliance is needed or desirable. 

  • Venor®GeM qOneStep is a kit based on a real-time PCR (qPCR) assay for rapid, robust and sensitive detection of mycoplasma contamination. The detection procedure can be performed within 3 hours. Primers, nucleotides, probes, polymerase and an internal amplification control are provided as a ready-to-use, lyophilized reaction mix. This kit is a very straightforward and is highly suitable for academic labs and industrial applications where certified compliance of kits is not required.


AquaScreen® PCR Detection kits - detection of Legionella pneumophila

Aqua Screen® is an in vitro test system for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of water pathogens like Legionella pneumophila and Legionella species

Minerva Biolabs

Catalogue No.DescriptionPack SizePriceQty
34-2025AquaScreen® Legionella pneumophila25 tests £277.00 Quantity Add to Order
34-2100AquaScreen® Legionella pneumophila100 tests £999.00 Quantity Add to Order
34-2250AquaScreen® Legionella pneumophila250 tests £2,221.00 Quantity Add to Order

Description

AquaScreen® is an in vitro test system for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of water pathogens like Legionella pneumophila and Legionella species.
AquaScreen® combines a sample preparation module with PCR analysis. The system allows highly sensitive analysis of water samples.

The supplied primer set is specific for a segment of the mip region of the Legionella pneumophila genome. When using the Legionella pneumophila Detection Kit for conventional PCR, the amplified PCR product is 275 bp long and can be rendered visible directly in the agarose gel. The conventional PCR internal control amplicon is 191 bp in size. The real-time PCR variant is designed such that the specific target probe fluoresces at 520 nm. The real-time PCR internal control is detected by another probe emitting fluorescent light at 600 nm.

    • primer sets and nucleotides at optimized concentrations
    • positive and internal control for easy result verification
    • instruction manual
    • storage box

 AquaScreen flyer

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Protocols

AquaScreen® PCR Detection Kit

detection of Legionella pneumophila

Please note: all protocols off site are the responsibility of the products supplier

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References

Felföldi T. et al., (2010). Detection of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the drinking water distribution system of a hospital in Hungary. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 16: 89–92 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02795.x.

Kirschner A.K. (2016). Determination of viable legionellae in engineered water systems: Do we find what we are looking for?

Water Research, 93:276-88. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.02.016.

Rozwadowska B. et al., (2013). Application of a real-time PCR method for Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens detection in water samples. Polish Journal of Microbiology, 62(4):439-43.

Vogel J. et al., (2013). Impacts of Migratory Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) on Microbial Water Quality in the Central Platte River, Nebraska, USA. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 224:1576. doi: 10.1007/s11270-013-1576-3.

Yaradou D.F. et al., (2007). Integrated real-time PCR for detection and monitoring of Legionella pneumophila in water systems. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 73(5):1452-6. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02399-06.

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Notes

AquaScreen® real-time PCR Detection Kit (Type One)- for real-time PCR with LightCycler®1/2, Opitcon®, ABI Prism® and related devices including Legionella spp.-specific probes, internal amplification and postive control.

AquaScreen® real-time PCR Detection Kit (Type Two)- for real-time PCR with SmartCycler®2, Opitcon®, ABI Prism® and related devices, including Legionella spp. -specific probes, internal amplification and postive control.

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Technical Help

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Related products

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