Contamination Control Compass
Edition #07/2025

 

Tips for contamination control
Keep it clean (even when the sun's out): 5 smart ways to avoid summer pitfalls

Laboratory staff check hygiene planning

Photo (Lab): iStock.com/gevendes

Even with air conditioning, summer brings its own challenges: heat, holiday schedules, and small oversights that microbes – or simply chemistry – thrive on. Here’s how you can stay ahead:

Storage and Transfer Areas: Heat speeds up degradation

”Just a minute” on the bench can be enough when it’s warm. Higher temperatures accelerate enzymatic activity and degradation processes – especially for sensitive materials like enzymes or cell culture media. Summer heat can quickly reduce stability, even without microbial contamination. Use temperature-stable zones consistently.

Holiday Coverage: Who’s keeping an eye on things?

Are air filters, cleaning protocols, and routine checks still being monitored during holiday absences? Clearly assigned responsibilities help ensure that critical maintenance tasks don’t fall through the cracks.

Humidity Traps & Outdoor Air: Fungal spores are on the rise

High humidity, dead corners, or poor ventilation increase the risk of mold or yeast. But in summer, even outdoor sources contribute: lawnmowers, compost, or pollen clouds raise airborne fungal spore levels – and those spores can enter your lab, even with closed windows and air conditioning. Cleanroom habits matter more than ever.

Lyophilized Reagents: Protect from moisture uptake

Increased humidity can cause freeze-dried reagents to absorb moisture, potentially compromising their stability and performance. Ensure storage conditions are dry and airtight, and minimize exposure during handling.

Heat Damage to PCR Reagents: Watch the stability

Even without contamination, high temperatures can impair enzymes, buffers, and other PCR reagents. Proper cold storage, cooled transport, and minimal exposure to heat are essential to ensure reliable results.

A few smart checks now can save you from cleanup later. Cleanrooms love routine even in flip-flop season.

 

Tips for contamination control
Contamination is frustrating. Solving it shouldn’t be. Here’s something to keep it in check.

Sample products for contamination control

Unwanted signals in your PCR run? Strange shifts in your culture performance? Mycoplasma and microbial contamination are common – and costly.

Whether you're troubleshooting, validating a new workflow, or just want peace of mind: We’re offering free samples of selected products designed to help you stay in control. You can request samples for:

  • Mycoplasma detection kits (PCR-based, fast and sensitive)

  • Mycoplasma removal treatments for cell cultures

  • Surface and equipment decontamination

  • Prevention tools for cell culture workflows

Test what works before you commit and worry less about contamination.

Request free sample
 

Product Highlights
Only a few days left – NAT-MAT® 10 % offer* ends July 31

Photo of NAT-MAT products with 10 % discount*

Just a short reminder: Our 10 % offer* on all NAT-MAT® products ends this week.

If you’ve been considering moving from MAT or RPT to a fully animal-free and faster pyrogen detection method, now is the time:

✔ Complete pyrogen testing according to EP

✔ Reproducible results through the use of a stable cell line

✔ Highly precise results by normalising the pyrogen concentration to the cell number

✔ Time saving due to rapid cell stimulation (in just 4 hours)

✔ Minimal hands-on time required due to highly automatable workflows

✔ Increased robustness due to dual cytokine detection

Order and save today
 
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QUICK TIP

Pipette tip = single-use ONLY

Even if you only draw in air, aerosols can cause invisible backflow into the pipette, leading to cross-contamination, especially with PCR or cell cultures.

A reused tip may save you a second now, but can cost you hours of troubleshooting later.

 

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Here's to clean cultures and reliable results!


Warm regards,

Your MB Team

 

* The offer only applies to orders of the NAT-MAT® products placed by end customers during the promotional period from 1 July to 31 July 2025. This promotional discount cannot be combined with other existing discounts. Shipping costs and taxes will be charged separately.

Errors and omissions excepted.

Do you need technical support or have questions regarding our products? Please contact support@minerva-biolabs.com. Any feedback or suggestions? Write an email to newsletter@minerva-biolabs.com.

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