One-Step XTT Viability Assay

July 08, 2026

BlueskyReddit
Stanford University
Biochemistry
Postdoctoral Researcher

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Company:

Biotium

Product Name:

XTT Cell Viability Assay Kit

Catalog Number:

30007

I study signaling pathways and assess how perturbations affect cell viability and proliferation. I use this XTT assay to quantify metabolically active cells by absorbance after drug or knockdown treatments, as a readout of cytotoxicity.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

Colorimetric cell viability

Starting Material

Cultured cells in 96-well plates

Tips

Keep serum below 10%

Results Summary

Generated a water-soluble orange product proportional to live cell number, and assayed cell viability

DOI or PMID #

N/A

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Summary

The Good

Unlike MTT, produces a water-soluble product, so no solubilization step

The Bad

Keep in mind that Absorbance readout is less sensitive than fluorescent/luminescent assays

The Bottom Line

A convenient, economical viability assay that streamlines the classic MTT workflow.

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