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Basic Colorimetric Proliferation Assays: MTT, WST, and Resazurin

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Cell Viability Assays

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1601))

Abstract

This chapter describes selected assays for the evaluation of cellular viability and proliferation of cell cultures. The underlying principle of these assays is the measurement of a biochemical marker to evaluate the cell’s metabolic activity. The formation of the omnipresent reducing agents NADH and NADPH is used as a marker for metabolic activity in the following assays. Using NADH and NADPH as electron sources, specific dyes are biochemically reduced which results in a color change that can be determined with basic photometrical methods. The assays selected for this chapter include MTT, WST, and resazurin. They are applicable for adherent or suspended cell lines, easy to perform, and comparably economical. Detailed protocols and notes for easier handling and avoiding pitfalls are enclosed to each assay.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052, Erlangen, Germany

    Konstantin Präbst, Hannes Engelhardt, Stefan Ringgeler & Holger Hübner

Authors
  1. Konstantin Präbst
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  2. Hannes Engelhardt
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  3. Stefan Ringgeler
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  4. Holger Hübner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Konstantin Präbst .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Erlangen, Germany

    Daniel F. Gilbert

  2. Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Erlangen, Germany

    Oliver Friedrich

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Präbst, K., Engelhardt, H., Ringgeler, S., Hübner, H. (2017). Basic Colorimetric Proliferation Assays: MTT, WST, and Resazurin. In: Gilbert, D., Friedrich, O. (eds) Cell Viability Assays. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1601. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6960-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6960-9_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6959-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6960-9

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