Cell Viability Assays: Introduction

Abstract

The measurement of cell viability plays a fundamental role in all forms of cell culture. Sometimes it is the main purpose of the experiment, such as in toxicity assays. Alternatively, cell viability can be used to -correlate cell behaviour to cell number, providing a more accurate picture of, for example, anabolic -activity. There are wide arrays of cell viability methods which range from the most routine trypan blue dye exclusion assay to highly complex analysis of individual cells, such as using RAMAN microscopy. The cost, speed, and complexity of equipment required will all play a role in determining the assay used. This chapter aims to provide an overview of many of the assays available today.

Effects of Asiasari radix on the morphology and viability of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the gingiva

“…MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) is reported to be a more sensitive assay than trypan blue (15), which is determined by the principle that viable cells have intact cell membranes that exclude the trypan blue dye (16). Dead cells absorb trypan blue and appear blue as a consequence, as the cell membranes are unable to control the passage of macromolecules.…”

High-Throughput Viability Assay Using an Autonomously Bioluminescent Cell Line with a Bacterial Lux Reporter

“…Treatment of cells with a cytotoxic compound can stall cell growth and eventually lead to cell death, which can be determined by cell viability assays. [1][2][3] These assays have been extensively used in lead discovery for identification of active compounds for cancer and many infectious pathogens. Cell viability assays have also been used to assess compound cytotoxicity for toxicological studies.…”

Characterization and in vitro studies on anticancer, antioxidant activity against colon cancer cell line of gold nanoparticles capped with Cassia tora SM leaf extract

“…The measurement of cell viability plays a fundamental role in all forms of cell culture (Stoddart 2011). Promoting appropriate cell life and death is a key part of cell culture.…”