Dual-fluorescence cell viability assay using ethidium homodimer and calcein AM
First Claim
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1. A method for evaluating the viability of cells in a sample, comprising:
- a) combining a sample containing cells with a concentration of calcein AM sufficient to yield detectable green fluorescence in any live cells present in said sample and a concentration of ethidium homodimer sufficient to yield detectable red fluorescence in any dead cells present in said sample;
b) viewing the sample with means for detecting the red and green fluorescence of cells.
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Abstract
This invention relates to a method for simultaneously detecting live and dead cells using two fluorogenic reagents: calcein AM and ethidium homodimer. Live cells are distinguished by an intense uniform green fluorescence generated by the enzymatic hydrolysis of calcein AM: ##STR1## Dead or damaged cells are distinguished by a bright red fluorescence resulting from nucleic acids stained with ethidium homodimer: ##STR2## The assay is useful to determine cell viability and to monitor cytotoxicity agents or events.
114 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for evaluating the viability of cells in a sample, comprising:
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a) combining a sample containing cells with a concentration of calcein AM sufficient to yield detectable green fluorescence in any live cells present in said sample and a concentration of ethidium homodimer sufficient to yield detectable red fluorescence in any dead cells present in said sample; b) viewing the sample with means for detecting the red and green fluorescence of cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for evaluating the viability of cells in a sample, comprising:
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a) combining a sample containing cells with a concentration of calcein AM sufficient to yield detectable green fluorescence in live cells present in said sample, and a concentration of ethidium homodimer sufficient to stain nuclei in dead cells present in said sample with red fluorescence; b) allowing sufficient time for both calcein AM and ethidium homodimer to yield optimal fluorescence; c) exciting both calcein AM and ethidium homodimer at less than about 500 nm and greater than about 485 nm; and d) viewing the sample with means for detecting the red and green fluorescence in the cells. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method, for analyzing the viability of single cells, comprising:
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a) combining a sample containing said cells with a concentration of calcein AM sufficient to yield detectable green fluorescence in live cells present in said sample without staining dead cells present in said sample, where the concentration of calcein AM is between 0.1 μ
M and 10 μ
M, and a concentration of ethidium homodimer sufficient to stain nuclei in dead cells present in said sample with red fluorescence without staining live cells, where said concentration of ethidium homodimer is between 0.1 μ
M and 10 μ
M;b) incubating the sample with both calcein AM and ethidium homodimer for 5 to 60 minutes; c) exciting both calcein AM and ethidium homodimer at 485-500 nm; and d) viewing the sample with means for detecting the red and green fluorescence in the cells. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification