Cell Culture and Antibiotics

There are arguments for and against the use of antibiotics (e.g. penicillin/streptomycin) in cell culture. On the one hand, it is a useful prophylactic to prevent cultures from contamination by providing a layer of protection. However, arguments have been made against its use with claims that constant usage allows for unintentional selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria, researchers become reliant on it and becoming lax in applying aseptic techniques and good cell culture practice.

I am inclined towards the latter view of avoiding the use of antibiotics, but mainly because antibiotics can interfere with particular experiments, namely transfections. However, I do find that it is better to use aseptic techniques because it is better to know quickly that your cells are contaminated rather than have low level contamination hang around which is not visible. The danger of low level contamination is that it will affect and alter your cells and interfere with your experiments.

In regards to students or researchers learning cell culture for the first time, it is probably better for them to see how lapse in aseptic practice can easily lead to contamination. People learn from their mistakes and will only improve with practice.