Dealing With Contaminated Cell Lines: Don’t Miss Your Data

The reproducibility and validity of scientific findings are shaped by a multitude of factors, and precise experimental methodologies, as well as the use of identical experimental substances where applicable, must be recorded. Reproducibility necessitates the characterization of reagents to assure their purity. Cell culture is an essential component of current biomedical research. Multiple quality control techniques, including cell line identification and validation that cell lines are not contaminated, are essential to assuring that reported data is reproducible. Cell line authentication is required to guarantee that cell lines have not been unintentionally incorrectly labelled or cross-contaminated, which could contribute to incorrect disease model interpretations.

The necessity of quality control of cell lines used in scientific research cannot be overstated, as it is vital for data reproducibility. Two major hazards in tissue culture are:

1.       Cell Line Authentication: The procedure of validating the identity of the cells involved in your experiments is known as cell-line authentication. It frequently entails ensuring that cell lines are obtained from the appropriate species and donor and that they are free of any contamination. Cell and microbe authentication is significant; bypassing the authentication stage can result in wasted time and cost, as well as denials of publications because cross-contamination or misinterpretation has compromised the data on which that research is based. Various tests like short tandem repeat (STR) profiling are used in combating contamination and misidentification of developing cell lines.

2.       Mycoplasma: For a variety of reasons, Mycoplasma quickly taints cell cultures—often without the scientists' understanding. Mycoplasma does not induce viscosity or pH changes in the media, it produces few byproducts, and cannot be spotted by microscopy. It can lead to chromosomal abnormalities, alter nucleic acid synthesis, modify membrane antigenicity, impede cell proliferation and survival, decrease transfection frequencies, affect gene expression profiles, and even induce apoptosis once it has contaminated cells. For these reasons, regular mycoplasma contamination testing of cell lines is extremely important. There are two ways by which you can test your cell cultures for mycoplasma testing:

·           PCR-based testing is rapid and sensitive and can test various species of mycoplasma.

·           Culture-based testing includes both direct and indirect culture methods and it is sensitive as well.

Combatting Cell Culture Contamination

While knowledge is important, taking a practical approach to preventing contamination will help you escape your lab a lot of trouble and waste of time. Wipe off surfaces and equipment routinely, and take special care to commonly used apparatus such as laminar flow hoods, water baths and incubators. Pay close attention to regions that may be ignored, including the refrigerators and freezers as they can be a great source of contamination.

Another important part of contamination control is the use of proper aseptic procedures. When entering and exiting the lab, laboratory staff should wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), and wash their hands. All sterile transfer should take place within a biosafety cabinet (BSC) or other equivalent containers that are sanitized and disinfected at least once every month. This safeguards employees and specimens while also making it more difficult for pollutants to reach samples.

 

While contamination of cell cultures cannot be totally prevented, it can be controlled. With an efficient preventative approach, you can limit the probability of cell culture contamination. If you are looking for contamination-free primary cells, get in touch with Kosheeka at mailto:info@kosheeka.com or you can give us a call at +91-9654321400.