Even viability dyes need controls. Don’t have time to “kill” a control for this? Don’t worry- we have your back. Dead cells in flow cytometry add errors to data because they can bind nonspecifically to many reagents. This non-specific binding gives rise to false positive results in flow cytometry. Therefore, identifying and removing data points representing dead cells is critical to ensure your results are accurate. This accuracy is crucial to applications like cell therapy which relies on viability to inform the appropriate dosing of the final product before it is delivered to patients. ViaComp® viability controls mimic the characteristics of dead cells and can be used to support the validation and QC of most viability dyes on the market today. This 2-in-1 bead binds to DNA intercalating dyes (7AAD, DAPI, PI) and amine-reactive viability dyes to simulate the staining of cells.
What are Dead Cells?
Dead cells are cells that have gone through cell death. There are two main types of cell death- necrosis and apoptosis. Necrosis is when a cell dies due to an external factor, such as injury or infection, while apoptosis is when a cell dies due to an internal factor, such as DNA damage, undergoing a programmed series of stages to complete the process. Both necrotic and apoptotic cells can bind nonspecifically to reagents, giving false positive results.
Why Are Dead Cells Problematic?
Removing data points representing dead cells is critical for flow cytometry data to be accurate. The problem with dead cells is that they can bind nonspecifically to many reagents, leading to false positive results. This means that your data could be inaccurate without you even knowing it! In addition, dead cells can also interfere with live cell events, further distorting your data. Data accuracy is especially crucial to applications like cell therapy which uses viability to inform accurate dosing of the final product before it is delivered to patients.
How Can I Remove Dead Cells from My Data?
The best way to QC the removal of dead cells from your data is by using a ViaComp® viability control. This 2-in-1 bead simulates the staining of necrotic and apoptotic cells and can be used with most viability dyes on the market today. Using a ViaComp® viability control is an easy and efficient way to ensure that your results are accurate. Dead cells can cause severe problems in flow cytometry data if they are not removed properly. The best way to QC the removal of dead cells is by using a ViaComp® viability control, which mimics the staining of both necrotic and apoptotic cells. Using a ViaComp® viability control is an easy and efficient way to ensure that your results are accurate.
