We can test your cell lines, cell culture media and reagents to determine if mycoplasma is present. Many researchers choose to use our service to ensure they are working with mycoplasma free cell cultures. The effects of mycoplasma contamination on cell lines can be wide ranging and are often underestimated. These include:
All laboratories carrying out cell culture should test for mycoplasma contamination on a regular basis. We recommend that a combination of methods is used to determine whether a sample is free of mycoplasma. This is because the different methods have different levels of detection sensitivity and some strains of mycoplasma do not grow in vitro. These can be detected by DNA stain and PCR.
Electron micrograph of Mycoplasma infected cell line
Three different mycoplasma detection methods are routinely used by our scientists at the European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC), namely:
PCR | more information | |
Indirect Hoechst Stain | more information | |
Culture Isolation | more information |
Mycoplasma detection methods and prices:
Name of Test |
Catalogue Number |
Price |
Sensitivity |
Time Taken |
Species Range |
Meets FDA points to consider in characterisation of cell lines used to produce biologicals (1993) |
Mycoplasma Detection by PCR |
ECSR33 |
£72.50 |
Low/ Medium |
1 day |
Majority |
No |
Mycoplasma Detection by Indirect Hoechst Stain |
ECSR60 |
£125 |
Medium |
2-3 days |
All |
Yes |
Mycoplasma Detection by Culture Isolation |
ECSR61 |
£175 |
High |
3-4 weeks |
Majority |
Yes |
All three Mycoplasma Detection methods: Mycoplasma Detection by PCR, Indirect Hoechst Stain and Culture Isolation |
ECSR39 |
£300 |
High |
3-4 weeks |
All |
See above for each test |
Sample preparation from frozen ampoule |
ECSR30 |
£75 |
N/A |
N/A
|
N/A |
N/A
|
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