Apoptosis Assays
Detect apoptosis by every hallmark
Programmed cell death leaves several tell-tale signatures. Our apoptosis assays let you read them all — caspase activation, phosphatidylserine exposure, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial depolarisation and loss of viability — by microscopy, plate reader or flow cytometry.
Which apoptosis assay is right for you?
Different assays capture different stages of apoptosis. Pick the hallmark you want to measure and we'll show the matching kits.
Apoptosis assay range
Filter by hallmark or search by target or product code.
Why choose these assays?
Cover the whole apoptosis cascade with matched, validated kits.
Every hallmark
Caspase activity, PS exposure, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial potential and viability in one range.
Multiple platforms
Read by fluorescence or absorbance plate reader, flow cytometry or microscopy.
HTS-friendly
Homogeneous mix-incubate-measure caspase assays suit inducer/inhibitor screening.
Safe & non-radioactive
Fluorometric and colorimetric chemistries with no radioactive reagents.
How apoptosis assays work
Apoptosis is a tightly regulated cell-death programme. Early on, phosphatidylserine flips to the cell surface (detected by Annexin V) and the mitochondrial membrane potential collapses (detected by JC-1/JC-10). Executioner caspases (3/7) are activated, and DNA is fragmented (detected by TUNEL).
Because these events occur in sequence, combining assays across the cascade gives the most reliable read-out of apoptosis versus necrosis.
- Caspase activity: caspase-3/7, and initiators 8 and 9
- Membrane: Annexin V phosphatidylserine exposure
- DNA: TUNEL labelling of strand breaks
- Mitochondria: JC-1 / JC-10 membrane potential
FAQs
Which apoptosis assay should I start with?
Annexin V with a viability dye (flow cytometry) and a caspase-3/7 activity assay are common starting points; add TUNEL for DNA fragmentation or JC-1/JC-10 for mitochondrial changes depending on the stage of interest.
What is the difference between caspase-3/7, 8 and 9 assays?
Caspase-3/7 are executioner caspases marking committed apoptosis, caspase-8 reports the extrinsic (death-receptor) pathway and caspase-9 the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway.
How do I distinguish early from late apoptosis?
Pairing Annexin V with a membrane-impermeant viability dye separates early apoptotic (Annexin V+, dye−) from late apoptotic/necrotic (Annexin V+, dye+) cells.
What is TUNEL used for?
TUNEL labels the 3'-OH ends of fragmented DNA, a late hallmark of apoptosis, and is ideal for in situ detection in fixed cells and tissue sections.
Not sure which apoptosis assay fits?
Our PhD-level technical team can help you choose the right hallmark and platform for your model.