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Cell Viability/Proliferation Assay

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.

Biomedical Research Service