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CytoCHECK SPAchip® Calcium and pH Multi-Detection Kit

CytoCHECK SPAchip® Calcium and pH Multi-Detection Kit

Ref. M-001-PC

CytoCHECK SPAchip® Calcium and pH Multi-Detection Kit allows continuous, simultaneous, and precise monitoring and measuring of both cytosolic Calcium and intracellular and extracellular pH levels by changes in fluorescence intensity. This facilitates a more comprehensive study of living single-cell physiology. The main advantage of this product is that combines the two pH and calcium detection technologies in one single SPAchip, enabling real-time, simultaneous, and accurate monitoring of intracellular and extracellular pH and calcium levels in single living cells. These cell-based assays are useful for studying and tracking important biological processes as well as for evaluating anti-cancer drug treatments.

CytoCHECK SPAchip® Multi-Detection kits are optimized for its use with confocal microscopes and HCS/HCA analyzers with 20X or over magnification objectives, yet widefield fluorescence microscopes and imaging system with fixed wavelength filters can be also used. Flow cytometers have additionally been validated to analyze intra and extracellular SPAchips.

SPAchip® kits can be handled as common fluorophores and chemical probes for cell biology. After resuspending them in the assay buffer (a SPAchip®-to-cell ratio of 2:1 is recommended), an overnight incubation is required to allow SPAchip® to be incorporated in the cytosol. SPAchip® will remain in the cytosol for longer than one month to monitor cell culture progression. 

Kit box contains:

1 ASSAY SPAchip® eppendorf tube (Quantity: 2.5 x10^6 ASSAY SPAchip®)
1 Control SPAchip® eppendorf tube (Quantity: 2.5 x10^5 CONTROL SPAchip®)
1 ASSAY buffer tube (Quantity: 5mL)
Quick start guide

Data Sheet

Application note

User protocol

Key features

  • SPAchip® assay kits are novel cell-based assays for living single-cell that bring together the fields of nanotechnology and cell biology.
  • CytoCHECK SPAchip® Calcium and pH Multi-Detection Kit enables continuous, simultaneous, and accurate monitoring of intracellular and extracellular pH and Calcium levels in living cells, enabling a more comprehensive study of cell health and physiology. 
  • CytoCHECK SPAchip® Calcium and pH Multi-Detection kits are composed of fluorescently labeled silicon microparticles -SPAchips®- that can be internalized in cultured cells to monitor changes in specific intracellular analyte concentrations for long periods of time.
  • 2-sensors-in-one SPAchip: the main advantage of this product is the combination of our two pH and calcium detection technologies in a single SPAchip device, simplifying cell-based assays by using one single technique. Experimental readouts obtained from the same single cell diminish variability and allow to establish more reliable correlations.

Technical specifications

Product code

M-001-PC

Amount

~2.5 millions of SPAchips

Applications

Cell viability, proliferation, cell image acquisition

Assay time

30 minutes

Assay type

Living single-cell based

Solubility

Soluble in assay buffer (aqueous)

Analyte

Calcium

pH

Detection method

Green

Red fluorescence / Ratiometric curve*

Fluorescence

λex: 488 nm;

λem: 520 nm

λex: 546 nm;

λem: 610 and 707 nm

Measuring range

10 -1000 μM

4.5 – 9.0

Compatible Platforms

Fluorescence microscopy, HCS/HCA platforms (20x magnification and over) and flow cytometry

Sample type

Adherent cells, suspension cells

Image Acquisition and Quantitative Analysis

CytoCHECK SPAchip® kits are designed to dynamically shift fluorescence intensity values in response to intracellular changes in analyte concentration. Fluorescence intensity to quantify calcium levels is measured by exciting the live cell sample at 488 nm and detecting fluorescence emission at 520 nm. To quantify intracellular and extracellular pH, fluorescence intensity is measured by exciting at 546 nm and emitting at 610 nm and 707 nm. Relative intensity units depend on the instrumental setup (excitation power, detector efficiency, etc.). To obtain quantitative data, a calibration curve needs to be analyzed in the same run. Data acquisition can be adapted to fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. 

Additional detection channels, such as transmitted light, are suggested to better identify and localize the cells and SPAchips of interest.

SPAchip® fluorescence signal quantification can be adapted to any analysis image software. Object segmentation should be performed to identify SPAchips inside cellular region to every sample. Fluorescence intensity units can be exported as a spreadsheet to plot graphical summaries of the results. To quantify intracellular pH, use the fluorescence of the calibration wells to plot ratiometric fluorescence units vs calibration pH. Interpolate the values of the sample wells to obtain the intracellular pH value of the sample wells.

* Contact A4cell staff for assistance with imaging setup and data analysis. Ask for our cell biology image analysis guide at info@a4cell.com .

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