About Calcein AM

Calcein, AM, also called Calcein Green, AM, is a fluorogenic green fluorescent molecule (ex 491/ em 511) that penetrates the membranes of live cells. Once inside the live cell, Calcein, AM is hydrolyzed by intracellular esterases into the fluorescent Calcein which can then be measured via Fluorescence Microscopy, flow cytometer, or fluorescent microplate reader. Reagents that contain an acetoxymethyl ester (AM) or diacetate (DA) side chain, are useful indicators of cell health and vitality, especially when used together with a probe for cell membrane integrity like an impermeant nucleic acid stain or fixable live/dead probe.