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Cell Viability/Proliferation Assay Solution

Components:        

MTT Solution: 50 ml, store at -20ºC

Product Description: The use of a colorimetric assay for cell growth, proliferation, and survival offers major advantages in speed, cost, and safety over other assays relying on the use of radioactive compounds (such as ³H-thymidine or ⁵¹Cr) (see Cell Injury Assay Kit). Multiwell scanning spectrophotometers (ELISA readers) can measure large numbers of samples with precision. One of the popular methods developed toward this end is the MTT assay, which relies on the ability of live but not dead cells to reduce a water-soluble yellow dye, MTT or 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, to a water-insoluble purple formazan product (J. Immunol. Methods 65:55, 1983 & Cancer Res. 47:936,1987). Active mitochondrial dehydrogenases of living cells are believed to cause this conversion. The water insoluble formazan can be solubilized using DMSO or isopropanol, and the dissolved material is measured spectrophotometrically yielding absorbance as a function of concentration of converted dye. The assay requires minimal manipulation, is easily automated, and thus is ideally suited to a program that involves a wide range of cell types and thousands of potential drug agents. Both monolayer and suspension cell cultures can be assayed using the MTT conversion method. The stability of our specially formulated MTT solution is guaranteed for as least 1 year from the time of purchase if handled and stored properly. The MTT Solution is sufficient for 5,000 - 10,000 microassays. The product is for research use only.

Features: Simply add MTT Solution to the culture being assayed to equal 1/20 to 1/40 the culture medium volume and incubate for 20 - 30 min. Absorbance of converted dye is measured at 540 - 570 nm. The method is adaptable to automation.