A Permanent Cell Viability Assay Using Alcian Blue

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Abstract
The alcian blue dye exclusion method for glutaraldehyde-fixed cells was utilized with centrifugal cytology to prepare permanent records of the viability of individual cells present in suspensions. The viability of mice spleen cell suspensions separated by linear bovine serum albumin density gradient centrifugation was measured with this method. Combined light and scanning electron microscopy of nonviable and viable cells demonstrated membrane alterations in alcian blue-stained nonviable cells. Viable cells were spherical and displayed uniform surface features.