What is mycoplasma?

Mycoplasmas are a genus of bacteria that lack a cell wall. This unique characteristic makes them resistant to many common antibiotics (like penicillin) that target cell wall synthesis. They are also the smallest self-replicating organisms. Mycoplasmas are commonly used in biological research, particularly in cell culture, where they are frequent contaminants. Detecting and eliminating mycoplasma contamination is crucial in cell-based assays and experiments to ensure accurate and reliable results. Additionally, mycoplasmas can be used as model organisms to study minimal cell structures and functions.