> Solution # 2:
> As I was told, EVERYBODY contaminates cell cultures with mycoplasma.
> There is no way to completely prevent it. The difference is in the
> number of particles we introduce and their agressiveness. We carry
> different strains and different amounts. That is why some people never
> seem to have mycoplasma problems, while others suffer from it more
> often, inspite of any aseptic measures. Find out who in your lab is
> the unlucky one and who is more fortunate in this sense.
Really? This is news to me! I've been doing cell culture for over 20
years, and the only case of mycoplasma I've ever had was from contaminated
FBS back in the early 80's - before they routinely tested for it.
Users are generally the primary source of contamination, but it is related
to technique. Some people - no matter how hard they try - are just not cut
out for cell culture.
-ned
