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.


SwabUp™ Lab Monitoring

SwabUp™ Lab Monitoring kit is for tracing DNA contamination hot-spots in molecular biology labs in order to efficiently eliminate them and prevent future occurrence...

Minerva Biolabs

Catalogue No.DescriptionPack SizePriceQty
181-0010SwabUp™ Lab Monitoring10 applications £81.00 Quantity Add to Order
181-0050SwabUp™ Lab Monitoring50 applications £347.00 Quantity Add to Order

Description

SwabUp™ Lab Monitoring kit

SwabUp™ Lab Monitoring kit is for tracing DNA contamination hot-spots in molecular biology labs in order to efficiently eliminate them and prevent future occurrence.

Small amounts of amplicon- or target DNA contaminations could lead to PCR artifacts and false positive results. Originating from aerosolized fragments in centrifuges, pipettes and other lab equipment or from small splatters during working with open reaction tubes, contaminant DNA is very hard to remove and can lead to cross contaminations between samples and widespread problems throughout the testing procedure and interpretation of results. SwabUp™ Lab Monitoring kit contains a sample collection system and DNA extraction system, which was optimized for the efficient detection of the smallest amounts of contaminant DNA.

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Recommended Use / Scope
This kit is recommended for the regular monitoring of the lab work area and detection of target or amplicon DNA contaminations.

Lab monitoring should be performed in regular time intervals, where samples are collected from surfaces and/or equipment, which are easily exposed to target and amplicon DNA contaminations, e.g., centrifuge, pipettes, reaction tube racks, doorknobs, lab books, computer keyboard, computer mouse, touchpad, desktops and any surface of a molecular lab work area.

SwabUp™ Lab Monitoring kit is for research use only. It is not recommended for clinical and diagnostic applications or for the detection of RNA contaminations.
Kit Components

Separately packed swabs, Collection Buffer tubes, spin column-based DNA extraction System.

Package Sizes
Cat. No. 181-0010 10 applications
Cat. No. 181-0050 50 applications

Required Consumables
Ethanol (> 96 % abs.), 1.5 ml reaction tubes.

Required Lab Devices
Microcentrifuge, heat block, pipetting Equipment.
Shelf Life and Storage

DNA extraction system should be stored at room temperature, Collection Buffer tubes must be stored at 2 – 8 °C. Swabs can be stored at 2 – 30 °C.

If you cannot find the answer to your problem then please contact us or telephone +44 (0)1954 210 200

Protocols

Instructions for use and manual

Quick visual guide

If you cannot find the answer to your problem then please contact us or telephone +44 (0)1954 210 200

Related products

If you cannot find the answer to your problem then please contact us or telephone +44 (0)1954 210 200