bacterial contamination in cell culture - (Jul/01/2009 )
Hello,
I am pretty sure that my cells are contaminated but my boss thinks that it is just cell debris. There are very small black dots that seem to vibrate around my cells and floating in the media. The media is changing color from pink to yellow after one night and the cells are not confluent. Could this be cell debris? I think we should just throw out the cells and start with a fresh batch and I have tried to tell her this but she doesn't think so. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. Thanks
That sure sounds like contamination to me, not sure how your supervisor can disagree. I assume the contamination is in a component of your medium, so try setting up a well/flask without any cells, just media, serum, supplements, etc. You should see the same growth there. If that doesn't convince your supervisor, I don't know what will.
koralreef3516 on Jul 1 2009, 03:29 PM said:
I am pretty sure that my cells are contaminated but my boss thinks that it is just cell debris. There are very small black dots that seem to vibrate around my cells and floating in the media. The media is changing color from pink to yellow after one night and the cells are not confluent. Could this be cell debris? I think we should just throw out the cells and start with a fresh batch and I have tried to tell her this but she doesn't think so. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. Thanks
Aseptically plate out a bit of your "contaminated" cells and see what grows... if there is contamination you should see it immidiately.
Your supervisor may be testing you.