Hygromycin B is a broad-spectrum antibiotic derived from Streptomyces hygroscopicus, effective against bacteria, yeast, and higher eukaryotes. It is widely used in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and cell culture as a selective agent. Hygromycin B targets protein synthesis, and cells transformed with a hygromycin resistance gene—encoding hygromycin phosphotransferase—can survive treatment. This enables selection and maintenance of genetically modified cells. It is also used to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination in cultures, supporting the purity of cell lines in research applications.
