SYTOX AAdvanced labels only dead cells because it is a cell impermeant dye. The dye can only enter cells that have a compromised plasma membrane. Trypsinization may cause temporary disruption of the plasma membrane, sufficient to allow staining with a cell impermeant dye. You can reduce the false-dead problem by either reducing the amount of trypsin and/or reduce the incubation time for trypsinization or use a gentler dissociation reagent such as TrypLE Express, TrypLESelect reagents, or Versene. After trypsinization, wash well, and if possible, allow a recovery time in normal culture media before staining with any of the SYTOX dyes.
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