In this article, we share 10 essential cell culture contamination tips to help you safeguard your cultures and protect your work.

Mycoplasma contamination silently affects 15–35% of continuous cell cultures worldwide, undermining research reliability and wasting time and resources. Unlike other contaminants, mycoplasma is too small to detect under a microscope, can pass through standard filtration, and is resistant to many antibiotics. Preventing mycoplasma is critical for reproducibility and confidence in results.

Good aseptic technique is your first defence. Consistent practices – such as hand hygiene, sterilising equipment, and minimising culture exposure – help reduce contamination risk.

Routine testing is essential. Kits such as MycoStrip provide rapid and reliable detection of mycoplasma, ensuring issues are caught before they compromise experiments.

Always isolate and test new cell lines before introducing them to your main laboratory environment. This step prevents cross-contamination and protects existing cultures.

Use filtration with appropriately sized pores to eliminate potential contaminants in culture media and reagents.

Surprisingly, 80% of lab staff carry mycoplasma. Talking or sneezing over cells can spread contamination, so keep lids closed and conversations outside the hood.

Mouth pipetting can introduce mycoplasma species such as M. orale. Always use proper pipettes – your cells (and lab safety officer) will thank you.

Regular cleaning of biosafety cabinets, incubators, and other workspaces prevents contamination from building up in the lab environment.

Well-trained staff are less likely to make mistakes that lead to contamination. Invest in training for all team members handling cultures.

Preventative antibiotic cocktails, such as those from InvivoGen, provide an additional safeguard when working with primary cells or cloning, where contamination risks are high.

Always request certification from suppliers confirming that cell lines are free from mycoplasma contamination before introducing them into your workflow.

By adopting strict aseptic practices, regular mycoplasma testing, and preventive measures, you can dramatically reduce the risk of contamination. Keeping your cultures clean ensures reliable results, saves time, and prevents costly experimental setbacks.

Download this Practical Guide to Understanding Cell Culture Contamination e-book for in-depth insights and strategies.

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