Method for determining viable cell count
OwnerFuminori Katoinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for conveniently and quickly determining the viable cell count and/or survival ratio of cells. This method comprises measuring the fluorescence intensity of a test sample subjected to a treatment with a fluorescent probe for nucleic acid capable of exclusively staining dead cells and the fluorescence intensity of the test sample subjected to not only the treatment with the above-mentioned probe but also another treatment of damaging cell membrane and them comparing these intensities.
Claims12
A method for determining viable cell number and/or cell viability, which comprises
- (i) measuring the fluorescence intensity of a test sample subjected to a treatment with a fluorescent probe for nucleic acid, capable of exclusively staining dead cells,
- (ii) measuring the fluorescence intensity of a test sample subjected to not only (a) a treatment with said fluorescent probe for nucleic acid but also (b) a treatment of damaging cell membranes, and
- (iii) comparing both fluorescence intensities.
A kit for determining viable cell number and/or cell viability by the following steps:
- (i) measuring the fluorescence intensity of a test sample subjected to a treatment with a fluorescent probe for nucleic acid, capable of exclusively staining dead cells,
- (ii) measuring the fluorescence intensity of a test sample subjected to treatments with (a) said fluorescent probe for nucleic acid and (b) an agent capable of damaging cell membranes, and
- (iii) comparing both fluorescence intensities, which comprises
- (A) said fluorescent probe for nucleic acid, capable of exclusively staining dead cells, and
- (B) said agent capable of damaging cell membranes.
An apparatus for determining viable cell number and/or cell viability, which comprises at least
- (a) a means for supplying a test sample with a fluorescent probe for nucleic acid, capable of exclusively staining dead cells,
- (b) a means for measuring the fluorescence intensity of the test sample which is treated with said fluorescent probe for nucleic acid,
- (c) a means enabling us to damage cell membrane,
- (d) a means for measuring the fluorescence intensity of the test sample which is subjected to not only (A) a treatment with said fluorescent probe for nucleic acid but also (B) a treatment of damaging cell membrane, and
- (e) a means for comparing the fluorescence intensity (b) with that (d).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.