What is Geneticin?

Commonly know as G418 or G-418, Gibco Geneticin reagent is an aminoglycoside related to gentamicin, and is commonly used as a selective agent for eukaryotic cells. As an analog of neomycin sulfate, it interferes with the function of 80S ribosomes and protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells.

How does Geneticin inhibit cell growth?

G-418, otherwise known as Geneticin®, is produced by Micromonospora rhodorangea through fermentation processes. And it works by blocking polypeptide synthesis by preventing the elongation step within eukaryotic cells.

Are Geneticin and neomycin the same?

G418 (Geneticin) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic similar in structure to gentamicin B1. G418 is an analog of neomycin sulfate, and has similar mechanism as neomycin. G418 is commonly used in laboratory research to select genetically engineered cells .

What can genetic stability testing be used for?

Genetic stability is a specific characterization of the cells used in the production of a biologic. Genetically modified cells contain transgene insertion sequences that code for the protein of interest.

How is the genetic stability of a cell line determined?

There are multiple techniques to determine the genetic stability of a cell line. These tests take place during the characterization of a production cell line, and to assess the genetic stability of the Master Cell Bank and the End of Production Cell Bank.

Why are transgenes important to genetic stability of cells?

Genetic stability is a specific characterization of the cells used in the production of a biologic. Genetically modified cells contain transgene insertion sequences that code for the protein of interest. Transgenes have the potential to mutate, which can impact the quality of the product or the proper execution of processes.

How is genetic stability related to the growth environment?

A careful choice of the growth environment should provide a physiological method to improve the stability of unstable host- plasmid combinations. Assessment of genetic stability has to consider two aspects: (1) stability of expression of the incorporated transgene and (2) somaclonal stability of the respective rose genotype.