The Universal Mycoplasma Detection Kit offers a quick and sensitive PCR-based test to detect mycoplasma contaminants in cell culture. All components required for the PCR reaction are provided and have been optimized for amplification. High specificity is obtained through the utilization of a proprietary mix of buffers, dNTPs and thermostable polymerase, combined with universal primers that are specific to the 16S rRNA coding region in the mycoplasma genome. DNA originating from other sources, such as tissue samples or other bacteria, are not amplified. A touchdown PCR regimen increases sensitivity of the assay, along with enhancing specificity.
The kit detects over 60 species of Mycoplasma, Acholeplasma, Spiroplasma and Ureaplasma including the eight species most likely to afflict cell cultures: M. arginini, M. fermentans, M. hominis, M.hyorhinis, M. orale, M. pirum, M. salivarium, and A. laidlawii. Samples that are positive for mycoplasma are easily recognized by a distinct PCR product ranging in size from 434 to 468 bp on an agarose gel.
