Detecting intracellular activity is easier than ever, thanks to the HitKit series from Cellomics Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa. Relying upon dyes and fluorophores visualized by fluorescence microscopy, the HitKit series of assay reagents permits visualization of various cellular events in intact cells.

The kits are comprised of buffers, fluorescent probes, and sometimes positive or negative control compounds and are optimized to increase sensitivity, specificity, and signal-to-noise ratio. This optimization, combined with each fluorophore's ability to absorb and emit light at distinct wavelengths, enables researchers to carry out multiplex assays. As such, the HitKit series of reagents is amenable to cell-based, high-content screening applications.

Four broad categories of cellular actions can be studied with the kits: indices of cell signaling, cell mitosis, cell motility and morphology, and cellular toxicity. A variety of kits are available for studying basic cell signaling properties involving transcription factor or kinase activation: NF-*B, STAT1, STAT2, STAT3,...

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