We have been getting this black dots in our cell culture. But it is not affecting pH of media (no color change observed) until 4 or 5 days. Cells are attaining morphology within 24hrs but once the black dots starts to aggregate it won't reach confluency. We sort of think it is mycoplasma. Do anyone has same experience ?
I think it's mycoplasma contamination. Try to move it to new flask and monitor the growth. be aware to avoid any contamination for the other cells or flasks.
Fahad Alshehri Thank you for your insights. Could you please recommend any preventive measures ?
Hello Athira Ramesh
I too had a similar experience. These black dots have no effect on the cells. The color of the media showed no significant change. The solution to this problem was serum replacement. Try to use FBS of another lot/vendor. These black moving dots may be present in the serum. Also, I suggest that you increase the plating density for higher rate of survival of your cells. No other treatment was required for the cells.
Hope this helps you as well!
Best.
Hello Athira,
I would like to add some previous links posted in ResearchGate where researchers have discussed this problem. Hope it will be helpful.
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Strange-phenomenon-in-cell-culture
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Black_dot_particle_in_cell_culture#:~:text=There%20are%20black%20dots%20like,growth%20rate%20of%20the%20cell
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Black_dots_like_contamination_in_my_cell_cultures_in_tightly_adhered_manner_What_to_do
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