Mycoplasma are highly undesirable, easily acquired, and notoriously difficult to detect, altering infected cells at the molecular level and leading to visible changes in cell morphology and growth characteristics. Up to 30% of cell cultures may be contaminated with Mycoplasma, the main contaminants being the species M. orale, A. laidlawii, M. arginini and M. hyorhinis.
Timely detection of Mycoplasma in cell cultures is required in order to deter wide-spread contamination and save on the costly efforts of elimination. For routine, periodic assays to diagnose possible Mycoplasma contamination of all cell cultures, particularly continuous or established cell lines, BioCat offers a variety of Mycoplasma PCR Detection Kits and Mycoplasma Staining Kits. In addition, a Mycoplasma Elimination Cocktail to effectively clear cells from Mycoplasma contamination in both adherent and suspension cells is provided.