Cell Viability Dyes Chart
| Dye | Excitation | Emission | Function | Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixable Viability Dye eFluor® 450 | 405 nm | 450 nm | Labels dead cells |
Permanently labels dead cells allowing them to be excluded from analysis even when the cell preparation is being analyzed by flow cytometry for intracellular targets. |
Cannot be used in combination with Pacific Blue® or eFluor® 450. |
| Fixable Viability Dye eFluor® 506 |
405 nm | 506 nm | Labels dead cells |
Permanently labels dead cells allowing them to be excluded from analysis even when the cell preparation is being analyzed by flow cytometry for intracellular targets. |
Cannot be used in combination with AmCyan. |
| Fixable Viability Dye eFluor® 660 | 633 nm | 660 nm | Labels dead cells |
Permanently labels dead cells allowing them to be excluded from analysis even when the cell preparation is being analyzed by flow cytometry for intracellular targets. |
Cannot be used in combination with APC or Alexa Fluor® 647. |
| Fixable Viability Dye eFluor® 780 | 633 nm | 780 nm | Labels dead cells | Permanently labels dead cells allowing them to be excluded from analysis even when the cell preparation is being analyzed by flow cytometry for intracellular targets. |
Cannot be used in combination with APC-eFluor® 780 or APC-Alexa Fluor® 750. |
| Calcein AM | 495 nm | 515 nm | Labels live cells |
Can be used to identify live cells by flow cytometry. Non-fluorescent compound freely enters live cells and intracellular esterases converts it to a fluorescent dye. Measures intracellular esterase activity in live cells. Is not retained in dead cells with compromised cell membranes. |
Will not be retained in cells after fixation or permeabilization and therefore, is not useful for intracellular staining protocols. High concentrations of dye will require greater compensation out of PE, PerCP-Cy5.5, and PE-Cy7 channels. May require co-staining with Annexin, 7-AAD, or propidium iodide to optimally separate live/dead cells. Cannot be used in combination with FITC, Alexa Fluor® 488, or GFP. |
| Calcein Violet AM | 408 nm | 450 nm | Labels live cells |
Can be used to identify live cells by flow cytometry. Excited by the violet laser line. Non-fluorescent compound freely enters live cells and intracellular esterases converts it to a fluorescent dye. Measures intracellular esterase activity in live cells. Is not retained in dead cells with compromised cell membranes. |
Will not be retained in cells after fixation or permeabilization and therefore, is not useful for intracellular staining protocols. Cannot be used in combination with Pacific Blue® or eFluor® 450. |
| Calcein Blue AM | 360 nm | 445 nm | Labels live cells |
Can be used to identify live cells by flow cytometry. Excited by the UV laser line. Non-fluorescent compound freely enters live cells and intracellular esterases converts it to a fluorescent dye. Measures intracellular esterase activity in live cells. Is not retained in dead cells with compromised cell membranes. |
Will not be retained in cells after fixation or permeabilization and therefore, is not useful for intracellular staining protocols. |
| Propidium Iodide | 488 nm | 617 nm | Labels live cells |
Allows exclusion of dead cells from flow cytometric analysis. Enters cells with compromised cell membranes and binds dsDNA/RNA. Cannot pass through intact cell membranes. May also be used for DNA content/cell cycle analysis (see DNA content, Cell cycle analysis, Identification of nucleated cells). |
Will not be retained in cells after fixation or permeabilization and therefore, is not useful for intracellular staining protocols. |
| 7-AAD | 548 nm | 647 nm | Labels dead cells |
Allows exclusion of dead cells from flow cytometric analysis. Enters cells with compromised cell membranes and binds dsDNA. Cannot pass through intact cell membranes. May also be used for DNA content/cell cycle analysis (see DNA content, Cell cycle analysis, Identification of nucleated cells). |
Will not be retained in cells after fixation or permeabilization and therefore, is not useful for intracellular staining protocols. |