Calcein AM Cell Viability Assay

Calcein AM or Calcein acetoxymethyl ester is a hydrophobic compound which passes easily through cell membrane into live cells and is used for cell viability assays. The non-fluorescent calcein AM dye is hydrolyzed by cellular esterases to give calcein which is fluorescent and is retained in the cytoplasm. The intensity of calcein dye measured on fluorimeter is directly proportional to activity of cellular esterases which in turn is proportional to viable cells. Calcein AM Cell Viability Assay is more robust than tetrazolium salt or AlamarBlue® Dye as the cells can be stained and quantified in less than 2 hrs.

Calcein AM Cell Viability Assay can be easily adapted to various fluorescence setups such as microplate assays, fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry. The assay is useful for various studies such as cell viability, cell adhesion, chemotaxis, multidrug resistance, apoptosis and cytotoxicity. The Calcein Release Assay can be used for both suspension and adherent cells.

Features:

• Measures viable cells by measuring activity of cellular esterases
• available is 1000 assay format when calcein Dye is used at 2 μM final concentraion 
• Compatible with microplate or microscopy or flowcytometry assay.
• Stains only live cells
• Robust than tetrazolium salt or AlamarBlue® Dye as the cells can be stained and quantified in less than 2 hrs

Application(s):
Calcein AM Cell Viability Assay can be used for various studies such as cell viability, cell adhesion, chemotaxis, multidrug resistance, apoptosis and cytotoxicity