Livecell

Live cell refers to a living cell that is used in experimental study. Unlike fixed or dead cells, a live cell maintains metabolic activity and viability, enabling observation of dynamic processes as they occur. The term is common in cell biology, physiology, and pharmacology and is also used in brand names for products related to live-cell imaging and assays.

Live-cell approaches rely on maintaining cells in a controlled environment during observation. Techniques include time-lapse fluorescence microscopy, confocal and wide-field imaging, and increasingly light-sheet methods for thicker samples. Researchers often use genetically encoded reporters or fluorescent dyes to monitor processes such as calcium flux, pH changes, ATP levels, mitochondrial function, and protein trafficking. Viability and proliferation assays commonly employ dyes such as calcein-AM to mark live cells and propidium iodide or ethidium homodimer to identify dead cells. Reagents and conditions must minimize phototoxicity and preserve physiology.

Practical considerations include selection of appropriate culture media, temperature (typically 37°C for mammalian cells), CO2 levels, and humidity; instrument stability; duration of imaging relative to the cells' lifespan; and data analysis strategies to handle large time-lapse datasets. Live-cell experiments can reveal transient events such as mitosis, vesicle transport, and signaling cascades that are not observable in fixed samples. However, they can be sensitive to environmental perturbations and may yield artifacts if conditions are not carefully controlled.

Some vendors market 'LiveCell' as a brand name for imaging reagents or systems, so the term may appear as part of product lines rather than a scientific category. When encountered, users should verify product specifications and intended use.