ToxCount™ - convenient, accurate cell viability assay
In partnership with Active Motif, the ToxCount™ Cell Viability Assay provides reagents to perform a simple two-color fluorescence cell viability assay. The ToxCount assay is based on the simultaneous determination of live and dead cells with two probes, calcein AM and ethidium homodimer (EthD-1), that recognize parameters of cell viability including intracellular esterase activity and plasma membrane integrity, respectively.
Calcein AM is a non-fluorescent cell permeable dye that converts to green fluorescent calcein in live cells after acetoxymethyl ester hydrolysis by intracellular esterases. Ethidium homodimer (EthD-1) is a red fluorescent nuclear and chromosome counterstain. This reagent does not permeate live cells and is commonly used to detect dead cells in a population. Because the dyes used in ToxCount are non-fluorescent before interacting with cells, background fluorescence levels are very low.
The ToxCount Advantage
- Dependable, reproducible assay
- Quick and easy protocol
- Non-toxic reagents
- Economical
- High-throughput
Analysis of ToxCount data using the IsoCyte
The graph depicted above illustrates the mean intensity ratio for EthD-1 and calcein AM staining in each cell from two separate wells. One well was treated with saponin (copper dots) that resulted in cell death and therefore staining with EthD-1, while the second well was untreated (purple dots) resulting in calcein AM staining. Three cells in the untreated well were unhealthy and stained with EthD-1.
For ordering information, please visit Active Motif's ToxCount™ webpage.