Application Note: Examination of Ferroptosis Using Live-Cell Analysis
Authors: Gillian Lovell, Jasmine Trigg, Nicola Bevan
Last updated: September 2024
Overview
Ferroptosis is a distinct form of regulated cell death, separate from apoptosis. Although the iron-dependent mechanism of the cytotoxic compound Erastin was identified in 2003, ferroptosis was fully defined in 2012. Over the past decade, it has emerged as a significant target in research fields like oncology and neuroscience. This pathway offers a promising method to target and eliminate cancer cells.
Through live-cell analysis, we explore the dynamic morphological changes during ferroptosis and investigate both label-free and fluorescence-based methods for kinetic quantification. Alternative programmed cell death mechanisms provide additional pathways to target and kill cancer cells, offering new treatment avenues for tumors resistant to current therapies. Live-cell imaging allows for detailed study of these mechanisms, capturing every stage from life to death.
- Document type: Application Note
- Page count: 10
- Read time: 10 minutes
Key Takeaways:
- Label-free AI Cell Health Analysis offers a non-invasive way to examine total cell death and identify pathways using pharmacological inhibitors.
- Fluorescent nucleus labels quantify viable cells in 2D and 3D cultures, while fluorescent dyes measure dead cells.
- Alternative fluorescent readouts are valuable for monitoring macrophage activity as they engulf dead cells.
- These tools can be combined flexibly to explore the complex network of cell death mechanisms.
