posted 08-25-2009 06:26 PM            

Calcein AM (Calcein acetoxymethyl ester), a non-fluorescent, cell permeable compound, converts to the strongly green fluorescent calcein when hydrolyzed by intracellular esterases in live cells.1-2 It is widely used for determining cell viability since the fluorescence intensity of calcein is proportional to the amount of live cells. Calcein is a photostable reagent and is well retained in the cytoplasm of live cells. Calcein is not influenced by intracellular pH. Its bright green fluorescence can be monitored at Ex/Em=494nm /520 nm.

Amongst other reagents, including BCECF, AM and Carboxy-fluorescein diacetate, Calcein AM is the most suitable indicator for staining viable cells due to its low cytotoxicity property. Calcein AM does not affect cell proliferation or viability.2-3 Calcein AM is used in cell invasion, adhesion, migration and other cell-based assays.

AnaSpec provides Calcein AM at two purity grades, >90% or >95%, as determined by HPLC. AnaSpec also offers the SensoLyte® Calcein Cell Viability Assay Kit - a rapid and sensitive assay to detect viable cells. This kit provides ample reagents (dye and assay buffer) for 1000 assays in a 96-well plate format.

References
1. Braut-Boucher, F. et al. J. Immunol. Methods 178, 41 (1995).
2. Akeson, AL. et al. J. Immunol. Methods 163, 181 (1993).
3. Weston , SA. et al. J. Immunol. Methods 133,

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For more information visit www.anaspec.com

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