I suspect my cells are contaminated with mycoplasma. I fixed the cells with 4% PFA and stained them with DAPI. Below is the image I obtained. I don't observe the typical small, rounded DAPI foci outside the nuclei. Instead, there's a slightly cloudy blue color in the center of the image. Could this indicate mycoplasma contamination? Thanks!
Its a little hard to tell here, but the lighter blue maybe some cells in a different, less focused plane. The best check is to us a mycoplasma detection kit.
Determining whether your cells are contaminated with mycoplasma requires careful observation and testing. Mycoplasma contamination is common in cell cultures and can lead to altered cell behavior, growth rates, and experimental results. Signs of contamination may include abnormal cell morphology, changes in growth patterns, or unexpected changes in gene expression. To confirm contamination, specific tests such as PCR, culture methods, or enzyme-based assays can be employed. Regular monitoring and good laboratory practices, including maintaining strict aseptic techniques and using mycoplasma-free reagents, are essential to prevent and detect contamination early. If you suspect contamination, it’s crucial to act quickly to address the issue and ensure the integrity of your experiments.
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