2 replies to this topic

[Ana G]

Hi

I work with the human monocytic cell line THP-1 which is cultured in suspension. I always look at my cells at the microscope before I pass them but the problem is that I don't know how to identify a possible contamination. I know that in adhesion cells one of the simplest ways to identify a contamination is by looking at the medium and see if it is turbid. However in suspension cells the medium is always turbid so this technique cannot be used. Thus, I was hopping if someone can give me some tips about how to identify contaminations in cells cultured in suspension (e.g. photos of contaminated cells, the most usual contaminations...).

Thank you,

Ana

[gfischer]

Ana G, on Mar 8 2010, 06:07 AM, said:

Hi

I work with the human monocytic cell line THP-1 which is cultured in suspension. I always look at my cells at the microscope before I pass them but the problem is that I don't know how to identify a possible contamination. I know that in adhesion cells one of the simplest ways to identify a contamination is by looking at the medium and see if it is turbid. However in suspension cells the medium is always turbid so this technique cannot be used. Thus, I was hopping if someone can give me some tips about how to identify contaminations in cells cultured in suspension (e.g. photos of contaminated cells, the most usual contaminations...).

Thank you,

Ana

Sudden (i.e. overnight) change in media color is a common sign.  You will sometimes be able to smell the fermentation of a bacterial contamination when you open the flask.  Usually the best way to spot an overt contamination (fungal or bacterial) is by microscopy.  Also, if your cells all die suddenly, you probably have contamination.

[mostafa]

hi
check your cells with greater lens of kicroscope like 40X if you see some dark things are rotatting and juming or running !!!or some long fibers settle between the cells they are contaminations.