Screentape Allows Rapid Analysis of Mycoplasma PCR Reactions for Efficient Screening of Cultured Cell Lines
16 April 2008 12:18
The ScreenTape system, developed by Lab90 and distributed by Anachem, employs a unique microscale polymer tape that contains all the reagents required for DNA electrophoresis. It brings major advantages of convenience, ease of use and safety to molecular biologists as absolutely no handling of gels and buffers is required.
The compact, fully automated ScreenTape instrument replaces the need for hand-cast gels, buffers, gel tanks and gel-doc systems. In just under ten minutes the system loads the samples, runs the gel, images and presents the fully analysed results (including gel picture, band sizes and quantitative data).This ensures accuracy, reproducibility and traceability. The system is fully bar-coded to meet GLP guidelines and data is archived for easy retrieval and comparison.
The ScreenTape system streamlines PCR screening of tissue culture S/N for Mycoplasma spp. Lengthy gel electrophoresis analysis is replaced with a 10 minute, automated, hands-free analysis step without any reagent or gel preparation. GLP cell line results are immediately archived thanks to the tailored GeneTools software.
Mycoplasma are microorganisms that commonly infect cells in tissue culture, potentially leading to spurious experimental results, the loss of crucial data and unplanned costs. Laboratories routinely use Mycoplasma specific PCR to screen cultures for these contaminants and the resulting DNA fragments are analysed by gel electrophoresis. The Lab901 ScreenTape system is a novel, automated method for mycoplasma PCR analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS USED IN PCR
For each cell line, 100μl of tissue culture S/N from transfected Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO cells) was boiled for 10 minutes. Using the instructions from the Minerva Biolabs¨ Mycoplasma PCR kit, reactions were set up in thin walled 0.2ml tubes.
SCREENTAPE DNA ANALYSIS PROCEDURE
Samples from the PCR block were mixed 1:4 with Lab901 loading buffer and placed in the TapeStation with ScreenTape D800. After clicking 'START' on the software driven menu, full analysis of the samples was achieved and archived, with no user intervention, within 10 minutes.
RESULTS
Analysed results are visualised immediately, highlighting band sizes for each of the PCR reactions. Samples in lanes 3 (positive control), and 5 show fragments of 182 and 269bp, that are diagnostic of Mycoplasma infection, whereas samples in lanes 2 (negative control) and 4, that only show a band at 182bp, are free of infection.
ADVANTAGES OF USING SCREENTAPE FOR MYCOPLASMA PCR ANALYSIS
The ScreenTape system allows significant time saving for Mycoplasma PCR analysis, by providing a fully automated, walk-away solution. No reagent preparation is needed and the use of Ethidium Bromide is eliminated. Data on the presence or absence of Mycoplasma for each cell line is automatically archived and easily retrieved. GLP-grade reports can be saved and printed following a one-click procedure.
Anachem is the leading specialist distributor to the UK and Irish scientific communities with over thirty five years of technical expertise and innovation. Today, Anachem represents suppliers such as 4titude, GE, Gilson, Lab901, Munktell, Rainin, SSI and Treff, to provide world renowned manual liquid handling products, plastics and consumables backed by unprecedented quality of service and support.
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