What is the primary method for assessing cell viability in adhesion studies?

The MTT assay is the primary method for assessing cell viability in adhesion studies due to its ability to quantitatively measure the metabolic activity of cells, which is directly correlated with cell viability. In this assay, cells are incubated with a yellow tetrazole dye, MTT, which is taken up by metabolically active cells and reduced to purple formazan crystals. The amount of formazan produced reflects the number of viable cells and can be quantified by dissolving the crystals in a solvent and measuring the absorbance at a specific wavelength.

This method is particularly useful in adhesion studies, as it allows researchers to determine how well cells adhere to a surface or matrix by evaluating the viability of those cells after being subjected to various conditions or treatments. MTT assays provide a straightforward way to compare cell viability across different experimental conditions, making them a reliable choice for these types of analyses.

Other methods such as fluorescence microscopy, live-cell imaging, and flow cytometry may also be used to assess cell viability, but they often involve more complex procedures or provide qualitative rather than quantitative results in the context of adhesion studies. For instance, while fluorescence microscopy can visualize live and dead cells, it requires specific staining and is more qualitative. Similarly, live-cell imaging