I want to get a membrane IMPERMEABLE dye into a large number of HeLa Cells in culture. What are some techniques to introduce a membrane impermeable dye into cells?
Do you care which dye? For example, look at Calcein-AM and derivative compounds. This colorless ester is membrane permeable. In the cell, the ester is cleaved by enzymes, releasing the membrane impermeable fluorescent dye Calcein. The Calcein stays trapped in the cells. They get brighter and brighter, until all the Calcein-AM in the medium has been consumed.
I would try encapsulation into liposomes or electroporation, if the dye is charged.
I don't care which dye I use. I just need a dye to get in there. I will check out the calcein and see if it will work. Thank you, John. Any other suggestions?
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