A Luminescence Assay to Quantify Cell Viability in Real Time.

Comprehensive understanding of cellular responses to changes in the cellular environment or by drug treatment requires time-dependent analysis ranging from hours to several days. Here, we describe a sensitive, nonlytic live-cell assay that allows continuous or 'real-time' monitoring of cell viability, growth, and cytotoxicity over an extended period of time. We illustrate the use of the assay for small drug molecule and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity studies using cancer cells in 384-well plates. We show that the ability to measure changes in live cells over time provides instantaneous information on the biological status of the cells, information about the mode of action of the drug, and offers an added advantage of preserving the cells for multiplexing with downstream applications.