Recombinant proteins, antibodies, and other biologics are commonly generated in host systems such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. While purification workflows remove most contaminants, trace amounts of residual host-cell DNA can remain behind — creating both regulatory and experimental concerns.
For therapeutic products, agencies including the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency require manufacturers to carefully monitor residual DNA levels because carry-over genetic material may compromise product safety. Even in research settings, contaminating host DNA can interfere with downstream assays by triggering immune or cellular stress responses, potentially skewing experimental results.
To help researchers address this challenge, BPS Bioscience has launched a suite of highly sensitive Residual Host DNA Detection quantitative PCR (qPCR) Kits designed for rapid and specific detection of contaminating DNA from bacterial, hamster, and human host systems.
The Residual Host DNA Detection qPCR Kits use probe-based qPCR, where cleavage of a 6-FAM–labeled probe by Taq polymerase generates a fluorescent signal during DNA amplification.
BPS Bioscience
The kits use probe-based qPCR, in which a fluorescent 6-carboxyfluorescein (6-FAM)-labeled probe is cleaved during amplification by the 5’→3’ nuclease activity of Taq polymerase, generating a measurable fluorescent signal only when target DNA is present. This approach combines high sensitivity with strong specificity, enabling reliable detection of trace contamination.
Among the new offerings, the Residual HEK293 DNA Detection qPCR Kit detects human DNA concentrations as low as one femtogram per microliter by targeting human-specific Alu elements, while the Residual CHO DNA Detection qPCR Kit selectively identifies CHO-derived DNA without mammalian cross-reactivity. The Residual E. coli DNA Detection qPCR Kit detects as little as five femtograms per microliter of bacterial DNA by targeting the 23S ribosomal RNA gene.
By pairing optimized reagents with validated protocols, these kits help streamline residual DNA testing workflows, allowing researchers to generate reproducible, high-confidence results without extensive assay development.
