Kanamycin Sulfate

No, Neomycin is toxic to mammalian cells. It also causes irreversible damage to kidneys and other organs. Geneticin (aka G418 Sulfate) is a less toxic and very effective alternative for selection in mammalian cells.  Neomycin can be used in bacterial selection, but Kanamycin is the preferred drug to use because of Neomycin's toxicity.

For best results, optimal concentrations for selection should be determined empirically in each unique experiment through dose response curves. However, to get a general idea of concentrations that have worked for individual cell types, please click on the following url: http://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/cell-culture/transfection/selection.html or type in “Selection Antibiotics” into our main search on www.thermofisher.com.

The TSE/BSE Statement for Kanamycin sulfate (Cat. Nos. 11815032, 15160054, 11815024) can be found on the Certificate of Origin (COO). The TSE Statement is as follows:

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Media Network manufacturing sites are not able to completely remove or inactivate adventitious agents such as virus particles or the causative agents (prions) of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) from the cell culture media and reagents manufactured. Furthermore, testing cannot confirm the absence of all such agents either. Therefore, a related claim that our products are risk-free cannot be made.

The following information is provided to support your risk analyses of our products based on your intended use. Thermo Fisher Scientific:

1. collects raw material manufacturing information from the supplier.
2. procures animal origin free raw materials that are neither an animal tissue or body fluid or is derived (isolated or purified) from animal tissue or body fluid, nor is it manufactured using animal tissue or body fluid. If an animal origin material must be sourced, then:
    • only raw materials derived from animal species other than TSE-relevant species are sourced
    • only raw materials from TSE negligible or controlled countries are sourced
3. maintains traceability of the components to the source, manufacturer, country of manufacture.
4. maintains current EDQM-issued Certificates of Suitability (CEP) for some animal origin raw materials.
5. hosts onsite audits to demonstrate the actions stated above.
6. partners with customers by being transparent with raw material information and seeks out additional information as requested.

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Media Network sites are not subject to the documents referenced below as they are applicable to the manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients or medicinal products. As such, they serve as references only.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Culture Support Center.

When an irreplaceable culture becomes contaminated, researchers may attempt to eliminate or control the contamination.

1. Determine if the contamination is bacteria, fungus, mycoplasma, or yeast. Read more here to view characteristics of each contaminant.
2. Isolate the contaminated culture from other cell lines.
3. Clean incubators and laminar flow hoods with a laboratory disinfectant, and check HEPA filters.
4. Antibiotics and antimycotics at high concentrations can be toxic to some cell lines. Therefore, perform a dose-response test to determine the level at which an antibiotic or antimycotic becomes toxic. This is particularly important when using an antimycotic such as Gibco Fungizone reagent or an antibiotic such as tylosin.

The following is a suggested procedure for determining toxicity levels and decontaminating cultures:

1. Dissociate, count, and dilute the cells in antibiotic-free media. Dilute the cells to the concentration used for regular cell passage.
2. Dispense the cell suspension into a multiwell culture plate or several small flasks. Add the antibiotic of choice to each well in a range of concentrations. For example, we suggest the following concentrations for Gibco Fungizone reagent: 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 µg/mL.
3. Observe the cells daily for signs of toxicity such as sloughing, appearance of vacuoles, decrease in confluency, and rounding.
4. When the toxic antibiotic level has been determined, culture the cells for two to three passages using the antibiotic at a concentration one- to two-fold lower than the toxic concentration.
5. Culture the cells for one passage in antibiotic-free media.
6. Repeat step 4.
7. Culture the cells in antibiotic-free medium for four to six passages to determine if the contamination has been eliminated.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Culture Support Center.

Please view the following page to browse the cell culture antibiotics we offer (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/cell-culture/mammalian-cell-culture/antibiotics.html).

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Culture Support Center.