Cytotoxicity Assay

A cytotoxicity assay is a method used to measure the toxicity of a chemical, compound or drug in cells. It is a useful tool for determining the potential toxicity of a substance as well as its efficacy for medical applications (e.g. drug screening). In this assay, cells are exposed to a given agent and their growth or death is measured; this helps to understand the effects of the agent on the cells. During the assay, the cells are stained with a dye or a fluorescent molecule and then visualized under a microscope or flow cytometry. The results of the assay can then be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a chemical, compound or drug.