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'Stringy' contamination of cells? - Weird stringy thing in cell culture flasks (Sep/22/2010 )

Hi all

I did my PhD in microbiology and have been introduced to tissue culture relatively late in life, so I'm prone to worrying about whether the cells look 'right'. I'm currently maintaining a human osteosarcoma line (SAOS-2) and have noticed little stringy bits in the culture flask. The cells seem fine (viable, no pH changes, etc) but it does worry me a little. Others in my lab reckon it's FBS-related rubbish and that I shouldn't worry, but I'd like some corroboration.

Any help/comments would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Hannama
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-hannama-

It looks like a fiber of some kind, maybe from your labcoat. And as long a your cells look fine, you shouldn't bother.

-madrius1-

madrius1 on Wed Sep 22 18:24:20 2010 said:


It looks like a fiber of some kind, maybe from your labcoat. And as long a your cells look fine, you shouldn't bother.



I agree with madrius1 that what you are seeing are a fibre, hair or even possibly a piece of TC plastic that is left over from the manufacturing process. I am almost 100% sure that it is not a fungal contamination.

Hope this is reassurring

Kindest regards

Uncle Rhombus

-rhombus-

Thank you both - I am feeling reassured! Filtered my media this morning too, just to be on the safe side :-)

-hannama-