Conventional assays, such as live/dead stainings (e.g. Viability/Cytotoxicity Kit (Invitrogen)) and other qualitative/quantitative tests that involve spectroscopic measurements (e.g. alamarBlue (Invitrogen)), can be used to assess cell viability and proliferation in QGel™ matrices.

Figure.1 below shows an example of live/dead assay that can be performed with cells encapsulated in QGel™ MT 3D Matrix. For more information on the protocol to be followed please refer to the corresponding FAQ: How to visualize cells in QGel MT 3D Matrices using fluorescence microscopy?

For more information on how to perform cell DNA content and/or alamarBlue assay please click to read this FAQ: How can I assess cell proliferation in QGel MT 3D Matrix? 

Figure.1 : Live/Dead assay performed after 8 days encapsulation of human foreskin fibroblasts in QGel™ MT 3D Matrix (catalog number 1001). Green cells are alive and red cells are dead (image took with a confocal microscope).