Penicillin/Streptomycin

Penicillin/Streptomycin (Pen/Strep) is a ready-to-use antibiotic mix for cell culture. The two antibiotics penicillin and streptomycin combined are effective against contamination with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Pen/Strep effectively prevents bacterial contamination and is the most commonly used antibiotic mixture for the cultivation of mammalian cells.

Our Pen/Strep/Fungi Mix contains, in addition to penicillin and streptomycin, the antimycotic amphotericin B. Amphotericin B is effective against fungal contamination. The combined effect of antibiotics and antimycotics gives you maximum security against potential contamination in your cell culture.

We offer Pen/Strep as a combined solution, as a mix with amphotericin B (Pen/Strep/Fungi) and also as individual dry substances (penicillin G and streptomycin).

Penicillin belongs to the β-lactam family and inhibits the enzyme D-alanine transpeptidase. D-alanine transpeptidase inhibits the formation of new membrane components, thus disrupting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall and having a lethal effect on bacteria. However, penicillin is only effective in active, dividing cells.

Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic and binds the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. This inhibits protein synthesis within the bacterium and inhibits bacterial growth independently of the active division of the cell.

Amphotericin B is a broadly effective polyene antimycotic and acts as a pore-forming agent in the plasma membrane of fungi. Amphotericin B is incorporated into the membrane in combination with ergosterol, forming a pore that is permeable to ions and disrupts fungal growth.