Lens-Free Imaging as a Sensor for Dynamic Cell Viability Detection Using the Neutral Red Uptake Assay

Published

September 23, 2020

Author(s)

Brian J. Nablo, Jungjoon Ahn, Kiran Bhadriraju, Jong M. Lee, Darwin Reyes-Hernandez

Abstract

Neutral red is a supravital stain that estimates the number of viable cells based on its accumulation and retention within lysosomes. The standard protocol relies on a destructive extraction process in order to spectrophotometrically quantify the amount of dye uptake. We report the quantification on live cells of neutral red uptake by HepG2 hepatic cancer cells with a lens-free imaging system utilizing two light sources. The pinhole source aids in mapping the cell perimeter, while a collimating source allows for precise measurement of light intensity. The absorbance of neutral red is quantifiable on the cellular level without additional treatment. Besides verifying cell viability, the neutral red uptake distinguishes between two distinctly different cell morphologies in confluent cultures, thus making this platform a versatile one with more functionalities within the same system.

Citation

ACS Applied Bio Materials

Volume

3

Issue

10

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.0c01082

Local Download

Keywords

Lens-free imaging, neutral red, bioassay, HepG2 cells

Citation

Nablo, B. , Ahn, J. , Bhadriraju, K. , Lee, J. and Reyes-Hernandez, D. (2020), Lens-Free Imaging as a Sensor for Dynamic Cell Viability Detection Using the Neutral Red Uptake Assay, ACS Applied Bio Materials, [online], https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.0c01082, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=928197 (Accessed October 9, 2025)