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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June
20, 2005.
Guava
Technologies Inc. has published a technical poster that describes
and details results from a new live cell multi-parameter fluorescence
assay that may be used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential
and apoptosis.
Monitoring
changes in Mitochondrial membrane potential ..
Guava
Technologies Inc. has published a technical poster that
describes and details results from a new live cell multi-parameter
fluorescence assay that may be used to measure mitochondrial membrane
potential and apoptosis.

Fluorescence-based
assays designed to evaluate the functional status of mitochondria
are emerging as useful tools to elucidate the role of mitochondrial
activity in the apoptosis cascade, cell cycle and other cellular
processes. To undertake such measurements automated single-cell
analysis is the technique of choice due to its sensitivity and high
reproducibility. In developing the MitoPotential Kit, Guava has
produced an optimised assay format for 96-well plates that combines
the sensitivity of a single-cell based method with the throughput
and ease-of-use of a microplate reader.
The
new technical poster describes how the Guava MitoPotential assay
when used in conjunction with the Guava EasyCyte System, a blue
laser 96-well microcapillary flow cytometry instrument, allows you
to discern healthy, polarised cells from the apoptotic/ depolarised
and dead cells. Loss of mitochondrial membrane activity is often
observed to be associated with the early stages of apoptosis. The
Guava MitoPotential assay uses the fluorescent cationic dye, JC-1,
and the dead cell dye, 7-AAD, for discerning apoptotic cells from
dead cells. In healthy, non-apoptotic cells, the JC-1 dye enters
the mitochondrial matrix, accumulates as aggregates and stains the
mitochondria bright red. In apoptotic cells, the mitochondrial membrane
potential collapses, and the JC-1 enters the cytoplasm as a monomeric
form where it fluoresces green. Results are automatically calculated
and presented in a statistical format that is easy to interpret,
with total cell counts and percentages for those cell populations
that are either healthy, apoptotic, or dead.
In
the poster the researchers demonstrate how they optimised the assay
for JC-1 dye penetration and concentration and how the dye has different
staining patterns, depending upon the cell line and apoptotic inducer
used. The poster also shows how apoptotic events were verified by
comparing EC50 values from four well-known inducers of apoptosis
with alternative Annexin V-FITC kit.
Based
in Hayward, California, Guava Technologies is a biotechnology company
that develops, manufactures and markets unique integrated cellular
analysis systems for the life science researcher's benchtop. For
further information about the MitoPotential Kit and a copy of the
poster please contact Guava technologies or visit the company website
(www.guavatechnologies.com)
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