Multicolor fluorescent imaging of cultured cells on the Sapphire FL Biomolecular Imager

Most cell culture experiments require that the viability of cells under specific experimental conditions be determined. It is important to confirm that culture conditions are optimized and not unnecessarily stressful, potentially leading to cell death. A common assay to measure cell viability is a dual fluorescence assay in which cells are stained with two nucleic acid–binding dyes: acridine orange (AO) and propidium iodide (PI). Azure Biosystems demonstrates using the Sapphire™ FL Biomolecular Imager to image cells stained with AO/PI and to visualize individual live and dead cells. The Sapphire FL has the capacity to image one sample under up to three different fluorescence channels simultaneously, allowing differential staining assays like AO/PI to be carried out quickly and simply.