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® PCR Quantification Standards

Venor® Quantification Standards for Mycoplasma Detection from Minerva

Minerva Biolabs

Catalogue No.DescriptionPack SizePriceQty
52-0071Pseudomonas aeruginosaPseudomonas aeruginosa £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0083Escherichia colieach £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0101Legionella pneumophila  £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0103Mycoplasma salivariumeach £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0112Mycoplasma orale  £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0115Mycoplasma gallisepticumMycoplasma gallisepticum £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0116Acholeplasma laidlawii  £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0117Mycoplasma fermentans  £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0119Mycoplasma pneumoniae  £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0124Mycoplasma synoviaeMycoplasma synoviae £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0129Mycoplasma argininiMycoplasma arginini £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0130Mycoplasma hyorhinis  £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-0164Spiroplasma citriSpiroplasma citri £279.00 Quantity Add to Order
52-5571Bordetella pertussisBordetella pertussis £279.00 Quantity Add to Order

Description

The quantification standard is genomic DNA extracted from low passage and defined mycoplasma or legionella cultivated in liquid medium according to the European Pharmacopoeia or in Hayflick's medium. The extraction of the DNA is done by column absorption methods and the DNA purified by phenol/chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation. The concentration was determined photometrically and by real-time PCR. The DNA concentration was adjusted by dilution with DNA stabilizing buffer. Genomic DNA is used as a control template when DNA amplification tests by conventional PCR are performed (e.g. as contamination control in cell culturing). With the real-time PCR technology, this titrated DNA standard with a defined concentration of genome copies is used as calibrator to generate standard curves. Therefore the provided solution is diluted in a 10x dilution series with DNA-free water and used as a PCR sample. With the generated fluorescent data, the software provided with the real-time PCR instrument calculates a standard curve, which can be used to determine the DNA concentration of unknown samples.

Contents

1 vial (green cap) of Standard DNA, 100 µl, contains approx. 106 genomes/µl.
3 vials (white cap) with 1 ml of DNA free water.

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Protocols

Protocols

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

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References

Dumke R. et al., (2017). Multi-center evaluation of one commercial and twelve in-house real-time PCR assays for detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease, doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.03.004.

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Applications & Benefits

Applications

These DNA-Standards allow for the performance of a control reaction for PCR using qPCR instrumentation and to create a standard curve for quantification experiments, i.e. with Venor®Mp Mycoplasma pneumoniae Diagnostic Kit for qPCR. The DNA standards can be used as a general control to confirm PCR system performance using a qPCR instrument or for the validation of detection limits in respect to conventional PCR tests.

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Related products

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