Protecting your cultures
Tissue cell cultures can become contaminated by mycoplasma species without you knowing, which can be a serious problem. We offer mycoplasma testing using a PCR based kit.
Screening for mycoplasma contamination is recommended on a regular basis, and before cell banking and cryopreservation.
Mycoplasma Testing
DNA is extracted from the cell culture supernatant using a DNEasy Blood & Tissue kit automated with a QIAcube (Qiagen). After extraction, DNA quantification is done to avoid false negatives.
The EZ-PCR assay uses PCR to amplify a target sequence within the highly-conserved 16S rRNA coding region of the mycoplasma genome.
A highly-specific and optimized primer set allows the detection of over 90 species of Mycoplasma, Acholeplasma, and Spiroplasma. The kit includes two positive controls, the internal amplification control and the positive DNA template control. The first one is a plasmid containing a non-mycoplasma-specific DNA sequence and it is simultaneously amplified in all PCR reactions. The second positive control is a highly conserved, mycoplasma-specific DNA sequence. PCR products are run in agarose gel.
For a detailed list, please inquire.
Sample Preparation
Samples should be submitted from growing culture or as frozen ampoules. We accept cells, cell culture supernatant or frozen stocks.
Instructions for Growing Cultures: We recommend passage of cells in antibiotic-free media twice. Do not change the medium or dilute with fresh medium during the last 72 hours before testing. Cells should be 50-80% confluent. Submission of cells at higher confluency may inhibit the PCR assay due to the accumulation of PCR inhibitors. Samples grown in antibiotics or given fresh medium prior to testing may have artificially low mycoplasma levels if present or may give a false negative result.
Cell Pellets: 10E5 to 10E6 cells
Adherent cells: Use a cell scraper to dissociated cells from the substrate. Do not treat with trypsin or other enzymatic agents for dissociation. Collect 5 to 7 ml of medium in a T25 flask or 8 to 10 ml in a T75 flask. Centrifuge to pellet cells, then remove supernatant.
Suspension culture: Count cells. Remove suspension culture to a 15ml conical tube.
Supernatant: Collect 5-10ml of supernatant medium of adherent cells or suspension cultures and submit in a 15ml conical tube. Paraffin the top if shipping.
Frozen Stock: Submit ampoule.
Turnaround Time
Samples submitted for mycoplasma testing are run once a week on Wednesday, with results emailed Friday of the same week or following Monday. Turnaround time may vary depending on cumulative sample submission.
Johns Hopkins Customers
Johns Hopkins customers should drop off samples in PCTB G20 by 4:30PM on Tuesday for inclusion in that week’s processing schedule. Samples received after 11AM Wednesday through Friday of any given week will be held and processed the following week. Our lab is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
External Customers
External customers should ship samples to the lab to be received by 11AM Wednesday for inclusion in that week’s processing schedule.
GRCF, Johns Hopkins University, 725 N. Wolfe Street, PCTB G20, Baltimore, MD 21205
Phone (443) 287-7948
Email the courier tracking number and request form to FAF@jhmi.edu.
Pricing
MYCOPLASMA TEST only
$70/sample.
Non-Academic customers will be charge %20 more for a service.
Mycoplasma test and Str profile analysis
GenePrint 10: $170/sample (Standard Service).
GenePrint 10: $215/sample (Standard Service plus Profile Search).
PowerPlex 18D: $200/sample (Standard Service).
PowerPlex 18D: $245/sample (Standard Service plus Profile Search).
NOTE: DNA isolation fee is included in in the mycoplasma test.
Non-Academic customers will be charge %20 more for a service.
str profile service OnLY
GenePrint 10: $180/sample (Standard Service).
GenePrint 10: $225/sample (Standard Service plus Profile Search).
PowerPlex 18D: $210/sample (Standard Service).
PowerPlex 18D: $255/sample (Standard Service plus Profile Search).
NOTE: DNA isolation fee is $25 per sample
Non-Academic customers will be charge %20 more for a service.
How to order
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