Using Trypan Blue to Assess Yeast Cell Viability in the Undergraduate Biology Laboratory

 

Verónica A. Segarra, Luke Dixon, Candace Loftis, Molly C. Penton, V. Neil Coffield, & Yewseok K. Suh

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2018, Volume 39

Abstract

We describe a trypan blue dye assay for use in the assessment of yeast cell viability after exposure to UV radiation. This exercise can be implemented easily in the undergraduate biology teaching laboratory. Furthermore, this protocol can be expanded for students to use in carrying out their own inquiry-based laboratory exercises – investigating the relationship between relevant combinations of yeast strains and experimental conditions of interest. Students can be directed to complete this exercise in a single laboratory period, or allowed to independently conduct a more comprehensive experiment over the course of several weeks.

Keywords:  Inquiry-based learning, trypan blue, cell viability, yeast cells, inquiry-based laboratory

University of Wisconsin, Madison (2017)