Ferroptosis Assays
Assay every step of ferroptosis
Ferroptosis is iron-dependent cell death driven by unchecked lipid peroxidation. Our validated colorimetric and fluorometric plate-reader kits let you measure each node of the pathway — from iron and lipid ROS to the glutathione/GPX4 defence system.
Top ferroptosis assays
The three most-used starting points for measuring lipid peroxidation, iron and antioxidant capacity.
TBARS Assay Kit
- Quantitative determination of lipid peroxides (MDA)
- Sensitive & accurate
- Colorimetric 1–30 µM & fluorometric 0.1–1.5 µM MDA
Iron Assay Kit
- Simple "add & read" with 40-min incubation
- Linear range 27–1,000 µg/dL iron
- Low interference — no pretreatment needed
Glutathione Peroxidase Assay Kit
- Sensitive & accurate
- Small 10 µL sample volume
- Linear range 40–800 U/L GPX activity
Which ferroptosis assay do you need?
Ferroptosis touches iron handling, lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant system. Pick the pathway step you want to measure and we'll filter the range below to matching kits.
All ferroptosis assay kits
Filter by pathway step or search by analyte or product code.
Why choose these assays?
Everything you need to dissect the ferroptosis pathway on a standard plate reader.
Whole-pathway coverage
Kits for iron, lipid ROS, the GSH/GPX system, lipids, amino acids and TCA metabolites.
Flexible read-out
Colorimetric and fluorometric formats to match your plate reader and sensitivity needs.
Broad sample types
Validated for serum, plasma, tissue, cells and more with minimal pretreatment.
Simple workflows
"Add & read" designs with short incubations get you to data quickly.
What is ferroptosis?
Ferroptosis is a regulated, iron-dependent form of cell death defined by the accumulation of lipid peroxides. It is distinct from apoptosis and necrosis, and is implicated in cancer, neurodegeneration and ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
Labile iron catalyses reactive oxygen species that peroxidise membrane phospholipids. The glutathione-dependent enzyme GPX4 normally neutralises these lipid peroxides — so when glutathione is depleted or GPX4 is inhibited, the brake is released and the cell tips into ferroptosis.
- Measure drivers: iron, lipid peroxides (MDA), phospholipids
- Measure defences: GPX activity, total and reduced glutathione, GST
- Profile context: cholesterol, amino acids and TCA metabolites
Building a ferroptosis read-out
A practical way to combine assays into a complete picture of the pathway.
Confirm lipid peroxidation
Quantify MDA or lipid peroxides with the TBARS or LPO assay to establish ferroptotic damage.
Check the iron driver
Measure labile iron to link peroxidation to the Fenton chemistry that fuels it.
Assess the defence
Track GPX activity and glutathione (GSH/total) to see whether the antioxidant brake is intact.
Add context
Profile cholesterol, amino acids or TCA metabolites to place ferroptosis in its metabolic setting.
Ferroptosis assay FAQs
What is ferroptosis and how is it measured?
Ferroptosis is regulated, iron-dependent cell death caused by lipid peroxide accumulation. It is measured by assaying its drivers and defences — lipid peroxidation (TBARS/MDA, LPO), labile iron, and the glutathione/GPX antioxidant system — usually on a plate reader.
Which assay is the best marker of ferroptosis?
Lipid peroxidation is the defining feature, so the TBARS (MDA) assay is the most direct marker. Pairing it with an iron assay and a glutathione/GPX measurement gives a fuller picture of the pathway.
How does the glutathione system relate to ferroptosis?
GPX4 uses glutathione to reduce toxic lipid peroxides. When glutathione is depleted or GPX4 is inhibited, lipid peroxides accumulate and drive ferroptosis, so GSH and GPX assays report on the cell's ferroptosis defence.
Are the kits colorimetric or fluorometric?
Both. Many analytes are available in colorimetric and fluorometric formats; the product name and card indicate the read-out so you can match it to your plate reader.
What sample types are supported?
Sample compatibility varies by kit but commonly includes serum, plasma, urine, tissue homogenates and cultured cells. Each product card lists its validated sample types.
Do I need to pretreat my samples?
Several assays, such as the Iron Assay Kit, are simple "add & read" formats needing little or no pretreatment. Check the individual protocol for specifics.
Designing a ferroptosis study?
Tell our PhD-level technical team what you're measuring and we'll help you assemble the right panel of assays.