Understanding the MTT assay and its importance
Since its first application in 1983, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay, also known as the MTT assay, has become the method of choice for determining cell viability and proliferation. Scientists use MTT assays in drug discovery to screen primary therapeutics and evaluate their antigrowth and toxicity effects on cells. During the assay, the yellowcolored, positively charged MTT reagent crosses the cell membrane, where the cell then metabolizes the chemical into formazan crystals, triggering a visible color change to purple. The darker the purple, the more viable cells within the solution (1).
The MTT assay steps are straightforward, but scientists have struggled with the technique’s reproducibility (1). MTT assays involve multiple cell and reagent dispensing steps that can quickly compound with increasing multiwell plates, potentially introducing inaccuracies and experimental variability. Additionally, while the MTT assay is safer than other cell viability assays that use radioactive or intercalating agents, MTT can become toxic to cells in high concentrations (1). Researchers should therefore conduct preliminary tests to identify the ideal cell density and MTT concentration for different cell types (1). Using a reagent dispenser for optimization tests, and for automating tedious dispensing steps across multiwell plates, eases the burden on researchers and ensures experimental consistency and reproducibility.
Instrument needs for automating MTT assays
When automating reagent dispensing for an MTT assay, researchers should consider the following instrument needs.
Flexibility in MTT assay workflows
To develop new therapeutics, researchers screen leading drug candidates across hundreds to thousands of cells in multiwell plates. The MTT assay was the first homogenous cell viability assay developed for high throughput screening in a 96 well plate (2). Whether using a handheld manual pipette or an electronic multichannel pipette, aliquoting cells and reagents across a 96 well plate is prone to user fatigue and error. A simple reagent dispenser, such as INTEGRA’s WELLJET reagent dispenser, automates routine pipetting tasks across different multiwell plate formats from 6 to 1536 well plates. To accommodate different experimental needs, the WELLJET uses 8 or 16 channel dispensing cassettes capable of aliquoting volumes from 0.5 µl to 10 ml. Researchers can even control the dispensing speed of different liquids, such as those that contain cells, to maximize cell viability and meet the dispensing requirements for different reagents. However, the instrument is not merely a blind pipettor. Researchers can leverage its intuitive software to define and save custom protocols for different plate sizes, expediting repeat experiments, decreasing hands-on research time, and improving experimental reproducibility.
Space-saving laboratory equipment
Many researchers tend to think that, to get the benefits of automation, they must invest in an automated liquid handler. These large, box-like instruments stretch across laboratory benches and occupy valuable research space. In sharp contrast, measuring in at 20 x 46 x 29 cm, the WELLJET reagent dispenser has the smallest footprint of any machine of its kind in the lab, and accomplishes the same automated pipetting goals as a liquid handler. For research teams working in a high throughput setting and going through more than 25 plates in a day, the WELLJET reagent dispenser also comes in a plate stacker version. Slightly larger at 46 x 46 x 63 cm, the WELLJET dispenser stacker dispenses liquids and stacks plates in a tower. This saves researchers further valuable space by neatly organizing dispensed plates, and maximizes productivity by enabling the high throughout screening of thousands of samples. Both instruments can also easily fit under a laminar flow hood, making them convenient reagent dispensing solutions for biosafety workbenches.
Affordability and cost-efficiency
Instead of pipettes, reagent dispensers rely on reagent disp ensing cassettes made of reusable tubing to aliquot solutions. Conventional reagent dispensing cassettes are manufactured using extruded silicone, which can cause variations in the inner diameter of the tubing. To mitigate this variability, manufacturers calibrate each individual channel of the cassette by adjusting the tubing tension during the manufacturing process. Over time, this calibration can be lost, requiring researchers to recalibrate their cassettes or discard them to maintain scientific accuracy. The WELLJET reagent dispenser uses a revolutionary type of dispensing cassette, called the EasySnapTM dispensing cassette, made from injection-molded silicone tubing to ensure that every tube is manufactured to the same dimensions, eliminating channel-to-channel variation and the need for recalibration. This makes EasySnap cassettes less expensive to purchase and use over time, saving valuable research funds.
Ease of use and experiment optimization
Reagent dispensers are also easy to use. The WELLJET reagent dispenser features a large display screen and an intuitive user interface that makes programming dispensing protocols simple. Researchers can effortlessly load the EasySnap dispensing cassette into the instrument without worrying about breaki ng or incorrectly placing it. EasySnap dispensing cassettes also come with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that allows researchers to track dispensed volumes. The EasySnap RFID tag keeps researchers informed with dispensed volumes and notifies the user when it is time to change the cassette.
The real value of reagent dispensers in MTT assays
In addition to the affordability of the WELLJET reagent dispenser, the biggest cost saving advantage of using a high quality reagent dispenser is the optimization of researchers’ time. Choosing a reagent dispenser to aliquot liquids across multiwell plates increases experimental reliability and accuracy, and frees researchers to perform more complex experimental tasks, analyze data, and make valuable discoveries sooner.
Applying reagent dispensing to MTT assay workflows
Essential materials for MTT assay automation
Material | Description |
| WELLJET dispenser | INTEGRA’s WELLJET reagent dispenser and dispenser stacker perform multiple dispensing steps in the MTT assay workflow. Using the WELLJET, researchers can seed cells gently in the appropriate concentration. In later steps in the MTT assay, the WELLJET dispenser coordinates cell culture medium, MTT solution and DMSO dispensing across multiple multiwell plates. |
| EasySnap dispensing cassette | The WELLJET’s EasySnap dispensing cassettes use molded silicone tubing with consistent dimensions, ensuring that accurate volumes are dispensed across channels and experiments. EasySnap dispensing cassettes come in 8 and 16 channel configurations for maximum protocol flexibility. |
| Cell culture medium | Researchers should use the ideal cell culture medium for their cell type of interest to optimize cell viability. |
| MTT solution | At the start of the assay, researchers dilute MTT in PBS. The solution forms a characteristic yellow color. The mitochondria in living cells metabolize MTT into formazan crystals. As this occurs, the solution turns purple. |
| DMSO | After incubation with MTT and removal of the cell culture medium containing residual MTT, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is added to the cells, which dissolves the newly formed formazan crystals. |
| Plate reader | A multiwell spectrophotometer or plate reader measures the absorbance at 500-600 nm for each well. The higher the absorbance or darker the solution, the greater the number of viable, metabolically active cells are present in each well. |
Enhancing MTT assay accuracy with smart instrument choices
Selecting the right instruments for MTT assays is essential for improving reproducibility, reducing manual errors, and streamlining high-throughput workflows. Automated reagent dispensers like the WELLJET not only optimize accuracy in cell viability testing but also save valuable time and research costs. By integrating reliable dispensing technology into MTT assay workflows, researchers can achieve more consistent results, accelerate drug discovery, and focus on generating impactful scientific insights.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. What is the MTT assay used for in drug discovery?
The MTT assay is primarily used to assess cell viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. Researchers use it to screen potential drug candidates for toxicity and therapeutic potential.
2. Why is reproducibility a challenge in MTT assays?
Reproducibility issues often arise due to manual pipetting errors, variability in reagent handling, and inconsistencies across multiwell plates. Automation helps reduce these risks.
3. What instruments improve accuracy in MTT assays?
Reagent dispensers, such as the WELLJET, ensure precise dispensing across multiple plate formats, reduce manual labor, and improve consistency in results.
4. How can reagent dispensers save research costs?
By eliminating the need for recalibration and reducing errors, reagent dispensers lower long-term costs, improve efficiency, and free researchers to focus on data analysis and discovery.
References
- Ghasemi, M., Turnbull, T., Sebastian, S., & Kempson, I. The MTT assay: utility, limitations, pitfalls, and interpretation in bulk and single-cell analysis. Int J Sci 22(23), 12827 (2021).
- Mosmann T. Rapid colorimetric assay for cellular growth and survival: application to proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. J Immunol Meth 65, 55-63 (1983).
