Cell viability assessment by using GelRed/SYTO 9-based double staining

Abstract Cell viability assessment plays a crucial role in biological research, pharmaceutical development, and toxicological identification. Here, we used GelRed, a sensitive and safer nucleic acid dye, to selectively label dead cells with red fluorescence (FL) thus distinguishing dead cells from live ones. Further more, the combined use of GelRed and SYTO 9 (another nucleic acid dye) enabled the clear differentiation in FL spectra between the two physiological statuses. The GelRed and SYTO 9 concentrations were optimized to obtain the highest FL ratio of dead to live cells. The GelRed/SYTO 9-based double staining could quantify the cell viability through flow cytometry analysis, with a good correlation between the detected and theoretical dead cell ratios. Compared with traditional prodium iodide (PI) staining, the GelRed/SYTO 9-based double staining showed high accuracy in quantifying dead cell of low levels. The as-developed staining method could be used in biomedical research to accurately measure the cytotoxic effect of various substances in living cells.