An object of the represent invention is to provide a method of detecting viable cells that can detect and quantify viable cells in a sample quickly, readily, and accurately. The reagents used in the method are safe, stable in storage, and inexpensive.
The method comprises steps (1), (2) and (3).
In the step (1), the cells are fluorescently stained by adding a fluorescent dye into the sample or making the sample in contact with the fluorescent dye.
In the step (2), a quenching dye is added to the sample stained with the fluorescent dye, or the sample is made in contact with the quenching dye, under a condition of a pH value that is different from the pH value in the viable cells. The quenching dye used in this step, (a) is permeable through a membrane of a viable cell, (b) hardly absorbs fluorescence of the fluorescent dye under a condition of the pH value in the viable cells, but (c) absorbs the fluorescence of the fluorescent dye under a condition different from the pH value of the fluorescent dye.
In the step (3), the sample stained with the fluorescent dye and the quenching dye is illuminated by an excitation light for the fluorescent dye under a condition of a pH value different from the pH value in the viable cells and the fluorescence emitted from the sample is collected and detected.
本发明的目的是提供一种检测有活力细胞的方法,它能快速、方便、准确地检测和定量样品中的有活力细胞。该方法中使用的试剂安全、储存稳定、价格低廉。
该方法包括步骤(1)、(2)和(3)。
在步骤(1)中,通过在样品中加入荧光
染料或使样品与荧光
染料接触,对细胞进行荧光染色。
在步骤(2)中,向被荧光
染料染色的样品中加入淬灭
染料,或使样品与淬灭
染料接触,条件是 pH 值不同于存活细胞中的 pH 值。该步骤中使用的淬灭
染料(a)可透过有活力细胞的膜,(b)在有活力细胞中的 pH 值条件下几乎不吸收荧光
染料的荧光,但(c)在不同于荧光
染料 pH 值的条件下吸收荧光
染料的荧光。
在步骤(3)中,用荧光
染料和淬灭
染料染色的样品在与存活细胞中的 pH 值不同的条件下被荧光
染料的激发光照射,收集并检测样品发出的荧光。