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.


Venor®GeM dScreen

Venor®GeM dScreen is a digital PCR (dPCR) based mycoplasma detection kit for the rapid and sensitive detection of all Mollicutes species such as Mycoplasma, Acholeplasma and Spiroplasma previously described as contaminants of cell cultures, cell culture media and other biological matrices. The kit demonstrates remarkable robustness and is compatible with a wide range of sample matrices, including cell culture supernatants, cell suspensions and samples with high serum concentrations. No nucleic acid extraction is required.

Minerva Biolabs

Catalogue No.DescriptionPack SizePriceQty
58-0321Venor®GeM dScreen24 reactions £204.00 Quantity Add to Order
58-0322Venor®GeM dScreen4x 24 reactions £652.00 Quantity Add to Order

Description

Venor®GeM dScreen

 

Venor®GeM dScreen is a digital PCR (dPCR) based mycoplasma detection kit for the rapid and sensitive detection of all Mollicutes species such as Mycoplasma, Acholeplasma and Spiroplasma previously described as contaminants of cell cultures, cell culture media and other biological matrices. The kit demonstrates remarkable robustness and is compatible with a wide range of sample matrices, including cell culture supernatants, cell suspensions and samples with high serum concentrations. No nucleic acid extraction is required.

All reagents required for dPCR such as primers, probes, nucleotides and polymerase are included in the lyophilized Mycoplasma Mix. The rehydration buffer and a positive control as well as an internal control are included in the kit.

The assay has been developed for QIAGEN's dPCR platform and is compatible with all QIAcuity® devices. The mycoplasma-specific amplification is detected at 520 nm (green channel). False negative results due to e.g. PCR inhibitors are indicated by an internal amplification control included in the Venor®GeM dScreen. The internal amplification control is detected at 560 nm (yellow channel).

Recommended Use

Applicable in research and industry for direct testing of cell cultures, cell culture products and other biological matrices. Exclusively for research purposes. Not for use in clinical diagnostics or for testing human samples.

Type of PCR

Hot-start Taq polymerase based digital PCR assay with FAM™ (green channel) and HEX™ (yellow channel) labelled probes.

Result Evaluation

Cycler based, digital PCR

Kit Components

Mycoplasma Mix
Rehydration Buffer
Internal Control DNA
Positive Control DNA
dPCR grade Water

Required Consumables

  • QIAcuity® Nanoplate 26k 8-well/ 24-well (specific for dPCR device)
  • 1.5 ml reaction tubes, DNase- and RNase-free (preferably low-bind)
  • PCR Clean™ (Cat. Nos. 15-2025, 15-2001)

Required Lab Devices

  • QIAcuity® digital PCR device with filter sets for detecting the fluorescence dyes FAM™ and HEX™
  • Microcentrifuge for 1.5 ml reaction tubes
  • Vortex
  • Pipettes with corresponding filter tips (10 µl, 100 µl, and 1000 µl)

Optional:

  • 8-channel or multi-channel pipette for sample transfer into the nanoplate
  • Heating block
  • Nanoplate Tray

Package sizes

  • Cat. No. 58-0321 24 reactions
  • Cat. No. 58-0322 4 x 24 reactions

Shelf Life and Storage

The kit is shipped at room temperature.

The unopened components must be stored at 2 °C to 8 °C until the expiry date stated on the label. After rehydration, the components must be stored at ≤ -18 °C.

EP 2.6.7 Compliance

No

Downloads

Manual.pdf

Short instructions

SDS

Flyer 1

Flyer 2



 

 

 

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