Measuring Cell Death by Trypan Blue Uptake and Light Microscopy
- 1Apoptosis and Cytotoxicity Laboratory, Mater Research, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia;
- 2Flow Cytometry and Imaging, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia;
- 3Division of Immunology, Mater Pathology, Mater Adult Hospital, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia;
- 4School of Medicine, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
Abstract
Trypan blue is a colorimetric dye that stains dead cells with a blue color easily observed using light microscopy at low resolution. The staining procedure is rapid and cells can be analyzed within minutes. The number of live (unstained) and dead (blue) cells can be counted using a hemocytometer on a basic upright microscope. Trypan blue staining is therefore a convenient assay for rapidly determining the overall viability of cells in a culture before commencing scientific experimentation, or for quantitating cell death following treatment with any cytotoxic stimuli.
Footnotes
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↵5 Correspondence: nigel.waterhouse{at}qimrberghofer.edu.au
- © 2016 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
