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 qOneStep

Venor®GeM qOneStep is a mycoplasma qPCR detection kit which includes all reagents required for the qPCR reaction. Primer, nucleotides, polymerase and the internal amplification control are provided ready-to-use in a lyophilized reaction mix. Rehydration buffer and lyophilized Positive Control DNA are also provided in the kit.

Minerva Biolabs

Catalogue No.DescriptionPack SizePriceQty
11-91025Venor®GeM qOneStep25 tests £204.00 Quantity Add to Order
11-91100Venor®GeM qOneStep100 tests £652.00 Quantity Add to Order
11-91250Venor®GeM qOneStep250 tests £1,383.00 Quantity Add to Order

Description

Venor®GeM qOneStep

Venor®GeM qOneStep is a mycoplasma qPCR detection kit which includes all reagents required for the qPCR reaction. Primer, nucleotides, polymerase and the internal amplification control are provided ready-to-use in a lyophilized reaction mix. Rehydration buffer and lyophilized Positive Control DNA are also provided in the kit. The assay can be performed with any type of real-time PCR cycler able to detect the fluorescence dyes FAM™ and HEX™. The protocol provided is recommended for the fast and reliable screening of cell culture supernatants. The detection procedure can be performed within 3 hours.

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Mycoplasmas are specifically detected by amplifying a highly conserved rRNA operon, or more precisely, the 16S rRNA coding region in the mycoplasma genome. The mycoplasma-specific amplification is detected at 520 nm (FAM™ channel). The qOneStep PCR reaction mix includes primer sets and FAM™ labeled probes which allow the specific detection of all Mollicute species so far described as contaminants of cell cultures and media components. Eukaryotic DNA is not amplified by this primer/probe system. False negative results due to PCR inhibitors or improper DNA extraction are detected by the internal amplification control which is already included in qOneStep reaction mix. The amplification of the internal amplification control is detected at 610 nm (HEX™ channel).

Type of PCR
TaqMan® based qPCR Assay with FAM™ and HEX™ labeled probes


Scope of Application
Applicable in research and development for direct testing of cell cultures and biologicals.
Intended for research use only. Not recommended for clinical diagnostics or testing of human samples.


Kit Components
Primer sets, nucleotides, internal amplification control and polymerase at optimized concentrations, lyophilized and pre-cast in one tube
Rehydration Buffer
Lyophilized Positive Control DNA
PCR grade water


Package Sizes
qOneStep PCR reaction mixes are prepared in aliquots of 25 reactions each.

    Cat. No. 11-91025 25 tests
    Cat. No. 11-91100 100 tests
    Cat. No. 11-91250 250 tests

Result evaluation
cycler-based, real-time PCR


Required Consumables
PCR reaction tubes


Required lab devices
qPCR cycler
Pipetting equipment
Microcentrifuge


Shelf Life and Storage

Venor®GeM qOneStep components can be stored at 2 to 8 °C for at least 12 months. After rehydration, reagents must be stored at ≤ 18 °C.

EP 2.6.7 compliance

No

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Protocols

Manual and Instructions for use

quick visual instructions

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Notes

Technical notes

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Related products

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