For a wide range of research areas, cell counting is a critical measure of experimental success (or failure), thus accuracy and consistency are of utmost importance. Add to this the demands of a modern high throughput environment and the result is the need for a fast and reliable means of assessing cell proliferation and viability. Fortunately, some manufacturers have realized this and have developed new tools for the flow cytometric analysis of cells. Whether your research requires techniques for the detection of apoptotic events, cytokine detection or cell cycle analysis, there is a kit available to suit every need. The flow cytometry kits listed below can help bring your quiver of research techniques into the 21st century or just improve on existing options.

Invitrogen

Molecular Probes (Invitrogen) has developed a wide range of fluorescence-based dyes and indicators to take advantage of the emerging violet diode laser (excitation ~405 nm). The latest additions to this product line include Vybrant® DyeCycle™ Violet stain, ideal for DNA content and cell cycle analysis in living cells, and the LIVE/DEAD® Fixable Violet Dead Cell Stain Kit, which delivers clear dead-cell staining under fixation conditions that inactivate pathogens.
Violet Laser Tools

Chemicon

Chemicon’s ApopNexin™ Apoptosis Detection Kits detect the appearance of Phosphatidylserine (PS) in the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. The system uses Annexin V conjugated to either FITC or Biotin as a basis for convenient quantitative assays. The counterstain, Propidium Iodide (PI), is included to differentiate the apoptotic and necrotic cells. ApopNexin™ FITC binding is analyzed by flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy in less than one hour. It may be used in conjunction with other fluorescent cell surface markers. ApopNexin™ Biotin can be quantitated with colorimetric or fluorometric detection using a streptavidin conjugate of choice. This versatile approach also permits bicolor or tricolor fluorescence experiments for multiparameter cell surface analysis. Fixation can be performed after Annexin V binding for further analysis of other cellular antigens.
ApopNexin™ FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit

Assay Designs, Inc.

Conjugated anti-Smac/DIABLO is tested for direct Flow Cytometric analysis of human cells. The unconjugated form of this antibody has been shown to detect endogenous levels of Smac/DIABLO in human samples. This monoclonal antibody is produced by immunizing mice with a recombinant protein to develop a clone cell line. The resulting cell supernatants are purified using a Protein G column and were conjugated to FITC fluor under optimum conditions.
Cyto-Light anti-Smac/DIABLO FITC Flow Cytometry Kit (clone 17-1-87)