Product Overview

Lonza’s MycoAlert^® Mycoplasma Detection Assays are selective biochemical tests to detect Mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures. They exploit the activity of mycoplasmal enzymes which are found in the vast majority of about 200 mycoplasma species, but are not present in eukaryotic cells.

Viable mycoplasma in a test sample (cell culture supernatant) are lysed and the released mycoplasmal enzymes react with the MycoAlert^® PLUS Substrate, catalyzing the conversion of ADP to ATP. The ATP is then transferred into a light signal via the luciferase enzyme in the MycoAlert^® PLUS Reagent. By measuring the level of ATP in a sample both before (read A) and after the addition of the MycoAlert^® PLUS Substrate (read B), a ratio can be obtained which is indicative of the presence or absence of mycoplasma.

Two versions of MycoAlert^® Mycoplasma Detection Assays

Lonza’s MycoAlert^® Mycoplasma Detection Assays are available in two versions, the MycoAlert^® Mycoplasma Detection Kit and the MycoAlert^®PLUS Mycoplasma Detection Kit. Both kits have the same assay principle and the workflow for both assays is the same. However, they do differ in the amount of light each assay emits and therefore have slightly different application ranges. The MycoAlert^® Mycoplasma Detection Kit is Lonza’s trusted and long-time favorite Mycoplasma Detection Kit that has been used in more than 7,000 publications. The MycoAlert^® PLUS Mycoplasma Detection Kit allows for use with less sensitive plate luminometers or multifunctional readers instead.

Positive Control Kit

The positive control for the MycoAlert^® PLUS Mycoplasma Detection Kit is available separately in the MycoAlert^® Assay Control Set. The control set includes a lyophilized positive control and assay buffer for reconstitution, which also serves as a negative control. The MycoAlert^® Assay Control Set is designed for use with the MycoAlert^® and MycoAlert^® PLUS Mycoplasma Detection Kits. We recommend always using the control set when performing assays.