Abstract: Methods for determining the induction and assessing the course of programmed cell death (PCD) over time in living cells are provided. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of contacting viable cells with a detectable reagent having high affinity for phosphatidylserine, qualitatively and/or quantitatively detecting the cells that have reacted with the detectable reagent, removing the detectable reagent, recontacting the cells with the detectable reagent and qualitatively and/or quantitatively detecting cells that have reacted with the detectable reagent. The methods of the present invention are performed with cells maintained in a viable state, thereby allowing detection of the induction and assessment of the progression of PCD over time.

Abstract: Methods for determining the induction and assessing the course of programmed cell death (PCD) over time in living cells are provided. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of maintaining a viable cell on a slide, staining the cell with annexin V to label any phosphatidylserine residues which may be present on the cell surface, visualizing the stained cell, removing the stain, sustaining the cell in culture, restaining the cell with annexin V to again label any phosphatidylserine residues present on the cell surface and visualizing the stained cell. The methods of the present invention are performed with cells maintained in a viable state, thereby allowing detection of the induction and assessment of the progression of PCD over time.