Multiplex cell Contamination Test (McCT) Service

• Mycomplasma (in general and 11 specific species)
• Acholeplasma laidlawii
  
• Squirrel Monkey Retrovirus (SMRV)
• Human Papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18, Marker for HeLa cells)
• Simian Virus 40 (SV40) and SV40-transfected cells, e.g. Cos7; HEK293T
• Adenovirus 1, 2, 5 and 6, and Adenovirus-transfected cells, e.g. HEK293
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and HBV-transfected cells, e.g. Alexander
• Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and EBV carrying lymphoblastoid or tumor cells, e.g. Namalwa
• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV1 and 2)
• Varizella-Zoster-Virus (VZV)
• Cytomegalie Virus (CMV)
• Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV6) and HHV6-transfected cells, e.g. Katata
  
• Human Herpes Virus 7 (HHV7)
  
• Kaposi´s sarcom-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, HHV8) and HHV8-transfected cells, e.g. BC-3
  
• Human cells
• Mouse cells
• Rat cells
• Chinese hamster cells
• Canine cells
• Feline cells
• Rabbit cells
  
• Guinea pig cells
  
• Human and monkey Y-chromosome

Test specifications

Detection of contaminations after DNA extraction is done with specific primer sequences in a multiplex PCR targeting viral, bacterial and cellular genome regions, respectively, and subsequent hybridisation using specific oligonucleotide probes (lizenzed from the DKFZ, patent pending). For internal control of DNA quality the presence of the PolA gene is tested as a reference. Several positive and negative controls are included to test PCR performance.

Contamination Control Procedure

To be done by the user

• Cell line lysate preparation according to the lysate protocol
• Sign in and complete the Contamination Control Order Form
• Label tubes with your name and a specific sample name as provided in the Order Form

To be done by Multiplexion

• Multiplex PCR-based amplification of contaminants
• Detection of PCR products by specific oligonucleotide probes
• Transfer of results to customer by Email or Fax
  

Recommended frequency of testing

According to our own experince, we recommend to control

• All batches of stocked cell lines once
• All new cell lines and new virus cultures
• Long term-cultured cell lines every month
• In case of mycoplasma therapy every week
• Prior to or concomitant to storage in liquid nitrogen
• In case of alterations in cell features
• In case of problems with reproducibility of results

Report - Confidentiality Notice

• all customer information is treated as strictly confidential
• formal, contractual confidentiality agreements can be generated upon request
• reports are maintained in our archives for two years; samples are kept up to six months for retesting at customers' request
  

Sample Preparation

Please find a detailed description of the sample preparation in the lysate protocol.

Shipping Instructions

The samples can be sent to our laboratory without an announcement. A complete copy of our sample submission form must be enclosed with all submitted samples.

Special Preparation for Cell Culture Samples

Elimination of antibiotics is not necessary, however to maximize Mycoplasma test sensitivity, cell lines should be pre-cultured in the absence of antibiotics for several days.

Prizes

Please contact us for your offer. Special prizes for universities and institutes, and bulk prizes available. 

Reference

Schmitt, M., and M. Pawlita. 2009. High-throughput detection and multiplex identification of cell contaminations. Nucleic Acids Res 37:e119. [PDF].

Citing this service

When citing this service, please use the above mentioned reference and indicate the time that passed between the experiments described in your manuscript and the McCT service. 

Please note: This service is designed to help you comply with safety regulations, to improve quality control and to help your research. It is NOT suited for clinical diagnostics.

For more information, please contact us.

Multiplexion - Advanced Detection