MycoStrip® - Mycoplasma Detection Kit

If you observe a faint band for one of your samples, we consider this to be a positive result for mycoplasma contamination. We recommend to confirm this result using one of the following tips:
• Concentrate your sample: begin with a larger volume of supernatant and/or repeat steps 2-3 in the “preparation of samples” protocol. Re test the concentrated sample using MycoStrip®.
• Continue to grow the culture for an additional 48 hours before re-testing using MycoStrip®.
• Use sterile water to resuspend the sample instead of PBS (to increase the sensitivity of the test).

If you do not have a thermocycler, you can use a calibrated heatblock or a water bath instead. Please note that the use of a water bath can introduce new sources of contamination.

MycoStrip® is highly sensitive having been validated to detect as low as 10² genome copies per ml.

Exceeding the 40-minute incubation at 65°C significantly impacts the results of the assay and therefore, we do not recommend to use this sample.

MycoStrip® does not detect any of the phylogenetically related microorganisms, such as Clostridium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus. Likewise, the waterborne germ Burgholderia is not detected. The specificity of MycoStrip® has been assessed on DNA extracts of Mollicutes, non-Mollicute bacteria, and eukaryotic cell/tissue samples. Additionally, the cross-reactivity with eukaryotic DNA was not observed. Read the complete list of all species detected and tested.

As isothermal PCR is a very sensitive method, heatblock must be precisely at 65°C.
A higher temperature will inhibit the reaction.
We recommend to control heatblock temperature or switch to a thermocycler.

Contrary to other mycoplasma detection kits, only a thermocycler is needed!

The sample preparation requires only 10 minutes and the detection assay takes 60 minutes including 10 minutes hands on time. Results are visualized as a band within 5 minutes.

The MycoStrip® test requires 1 mL of cell culture supernatant from suspension or adherent cell cultures prior to passaging, or cell culture media constituents such as fetal bovine serum (FBS).

Detection of mycoplasma by InvivoGen’s MycoStrip® is based on isothermal PCR, a robust technique that exponentially amplifies DNA at a constant temperature of 65°C. Using our proprietary Reaction Mix, the 16S rRNA gene in the most commonly found mycoplasma species in cell culture, accounting for 95% of contamination, is targeted and amplified. Results are rapidly visualized as a band on an immunochromatographic strip.

MycoStrip® is a robust, sensitive, and extremely simple method for the detection of mycoplasma. The speed and convenience of MycoStrip® allows for routine testing of cells in culture and commonly used constituents of complete media (e.g. FBS). It requires minimal hands-on-time with rapid results which are easily interpreted – no need for calculation, distinguishing similar colours, or running of an agarose gel.

It is important to include positive and negative controls on a regular basis to monitor the reliability of your results and in case of troubleshooting.

The kit is shipped at room temperature.
Upon receipt, store all components at -20°C.
All components, including the strips, remain stable for 12 months when properly stored.

The positive control is not a source of mycoplasma contamination; it only contains a fragment of DNA.

No, the use of antibiotics on your cells will not interfere with the assay.

There is no need to worry, the presence of mammalian cell DNA will not affect the detection assay

There is no increase to sensitivity however this step will kill the mycoplasma avoiding the handling of live mycoplasma.

Samples can be stored as followed:
Cell culture supernatant: before starting the “preparation of samples” protocol, you can store the cell culture supernatant at -20°C until required.
Before use, completely thaw the sample at 37°C and mix well by vortexing to ensure all salts are dissolved.

Prepared sample: After performing steps 1 – 4 of the “preparation of samples” protocol, your sample can be stored at -20°C until required.

Processed sample: After performing steps 1 – 4 of the “detection assay” protocol, the processed samples can be stored at -20°C for up to 3 months.

Yes, it is possible to use water instead of PBS.