Many cell assays have been developed to assess specific parameters or response of cells (biomarkers, cell physiology). Techniques used to study cells include :
*reporter assays using i.e. Luciferase, calcium signaling assays using Coelenterazine, CFSE or Calcein
*Immunostaining of cells on slides by Microscopy (ImmunoHistoChemistry or Fluorescence), on microplates by photometry including the ELISpot (and its variant FluoroSpot) to enumerate B-Cells or antigen-specific cells, in solution by Flow cytometry
*Molecular biology techniques such as DNA microarrays, in situ hybridization, combined to PCR, Computational genomics, and Transfection; Cell fractionation or Immunoprecipitation
*Migration assays, Chemotaxis assay
*Secretion assays
*Apoptosis assays such as the DNA laddering assay, the Nicoletti assay, caspase activity assays, and Annexin V staining
*Chemosensitivity assay measures the number of tumor cells that are killed by a cancer drug
*Tetramer assay detect the presence of antigen specific T-cells
*Gentamicin protection assay or survival assay or invasion assay to assess ability of pathogens (bacteria) to invade eukaryotic cells
Metastasis Assay