Cell viability

The cell viability of a sample is determined using the total cell count and the count of non-viable cells (see the figure below).

When a sample is mixed with Reagent A-100 and Reagent B a lysis of the viable cell membrane takes place rendering all the cell nuclei susceptible to staining with propidium iodide (PI) resulting in a total cell count.

Non-viable cells are however permeable without treatment and are therefore stained directly with PI, resulting in a non-viable cell count.