Cell Culture FAQ: What is the best test method for mycoplasma?

It is estimated that about 25 % of all cell culture labs globally are contaminated with Mycoplasma. How about your lab? In the last few years several detection methods for Mycoplasma have been established. Here, you can get an overview of these methods.

Mycoplasma are too small to be seen in a light microscope. Unlike other bacteria, they don´t visibly change the culture medium. Therefore it is critical to routinely test cultures. When choosing a test method the following aspects should be considered:

Throughput (How many samples do you need to test at once?).
Desired turnaround time (How long can you wait for the results? A longer time increases the risk of the contamination spreading).
Access to the required lab equipment.

You can find more information on cell culture contamination at .