The Dangers of Cell Culture Contamination and How to Avoid Them
Cell culture contamination is a significant problem that can compromise the quality of research results. The presence of microbial or cross-species contaminants in cultured cells can affect the interpretation of experimental outcomes and lead to erroneous conclusions or incorrect experimental results. Contamination can also cause irreparable harm to the cultures and renders them useless.
What is cell culture contamination?
Cell culture contamination refers to the presence of unwanted and undesirable organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mycoplasmas in cultured cells. These contaminants may be introduced into cell cultures at any stage of cell manipulation, including during the initiation of cultures, routine maintenance, and experimental procedures.
The effects of contamination on cell cultures
Contaminants in cell cultures may cause a range of adverse effects, which vary depending on the type of microorganism and the length of exposure. Among the most common effects of contamination include changes in cell morphology, viability, proliferation rates, and gene expression patterns. In severe cases, contamination can lead to complete loss of the cell line.
How to avoid cell culture contamination
Whether you are new to cell culture techniques or an experienced researcher, avoiding contamination should always be your top priority. Here are some practical measures that you can take to avoid contamination:
Use aseptic techniques
Aseptic techniques are practices that are designed to prevent microbial contamination during cell culture procedures. Examples of aseptic techniques include working in a clean and sterile environment, wearing proper attire and gloves, and using sterile equipment and reagents.
Test for contaminants regularly
Testing for contaminants regularly is critical to preventing contamination from spreading to other cell cultures and materials in the lab. It is advisable to test cells for mycoplasma and other contaminants during routine culture maintenance.
Use antibiotics and antifungal agents judiciously
Antibiotics and antifungal agents are widely used to prevent contamination and treat contaminated cultures. However, the misuse of these agents can lead to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and the development of toxic side-effects.
Train personnel on proper cell culture techniques
Personnel who work with cell cultures should receive appropriate training and education on the proper handling and maintenance of cell cultures. Proper training can help minimize the risk of contamination and ensure valid research outcomes.
Conclusion
Cell culture contamination is an issue that poses a significant threat to research integrity and can result in the loss of valuable research materials. By employing aseptic techniques, regular testing for contaminants, judicious use of antibiotics and antifungal agents, and proper personnel training, you can avoid contamination in cell cultures and ensure the accuracy and reliability of your experimental results.
