Cell Culture Quality Control

The quality control program evaluates growth characteristics and optimal culture conditions. Major attention is focused on testing microbial contaminations caused by bacteria (notably mycoplasmas), fungi and yeasts. Additionally, all primate cell lines are screened for certain human pathogenic viruses, and most of the positive cell lines are tested for virus production. Results are summarized on the datasheets supplied for all cell lines in the collection.

Growth characteristics

Cell lines are distinguished by their nutritional, growth factor, and inorganic supplement needs, as well as subculture routines, optimal cell concentrations, doubling times etc. To assist users we regularly reappraise growth parameters and update web data as necessary. More

Mycoplasma detection and eradication

Most cell culture contaminations caused by bacteria, yeasts and fungi are usually rapidly detected during routine cell cultivation. However, slow-growing bacteria, e.g. some mycoplasma and mycobacteria species, are frequently found in cell cultures and may be chronic and not evident during routine cell culture monitoring. Thus, sensitive methods are required to detect such contaminations. More

Detection of human pathogenic viruses

Contamination of cultured cells with human pathogenic viruses may pose health risks. Cell cultures of unknown origin or from non-approved sources should be regarded as potentially harmful until their infection status is known. The DSMZ tests all primate cell lines for the presence of various human pathogenic viruses by PCR/RT-PCR and other methods. More