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Cell Senescence
Cellular senescence is an irreversible cell cycle arrest triggered by DNA damage, oxidative stress, oncogene activation, or telomere shortening. Detection of senescent cells is essential for cancer research, aging studies, and senolytic drug development.
AAT Bioquest offers ready-to-use Cell Meter™ assay kits for detecting senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity as well as SeneTrace™ Blue for detecting lipofuscin.
Product Category | Detection Method | Key Applications |
|---|---|---|
SA-β-Gal Assay Kits | Fluorescent or colorimetric substrate | Flow cytometry, microscopy |
Lipofuscin Detection | Fluorescent biotinylated probe | IHC, tissue sections, serum |
Cell Meter™ kits provide complete, optimized solutions for detecting senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity in live cells under physiological conditions. Unlike traditional X-gal staining, kits that use our proprietary Xite™-based substrates offer superior cell permeability, no fixation requirement, and compatibility with flow cytometry for live-cell analysis.
Fig. 1
Cellular senescence was measured with Cell Meter™ Cellular Senescence Activity Assay Kit using a NovoCyte Flow Cytometer (ACEA Biosciences). HL-60 cells were incubated with Camptothecin for 6 hours to induce senescence and stained with Xite™ beta-D-galactopyranoside for 30 mins at 37°C. The signal was acquired using FITC channel in ACEA NovoCyte flow cytometer.
Xite™ substrates offer enhanced cell permeability and improved signal retention compared to fluorescein di-β-D-galactopyranoside (FDG), which is prone to rapid signal diffusion in live cells. In addition to our Cell Meter™ kits, we offer standalone substrates, ideal for researchers developing custom senescence detection protocols or requiring individual reagents for assay optimization.
For additional β-galactosidase substrates including FDG, resorufin, and coumarin-based options, see our Galactosidase catalog.
Fig. 2
β-Galactosidase activity was measured with Xite™ Green β-D-galactopyranoside. 9L-LacZ cells (cells that overexpressed β-gal) were incubated with Xite™ Green beta-D-galactopyranoside or FDG for 30 mins at 37 °C. The signal was acquired with FITC channel using a NovoCyte Flow Cytometer (ACEA Biosciences).
Lipofuscin ("age pigment") accumulates in lysosomes of senescent and aging cells, providing a complementary marker to senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity. SeneTrace™ Blue is a biotinylated Sudan Black B analog enabling quantitative lipofuscin detection via IHC, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence workflows.
Fig. 3
Fluorescence imaging of iFluor® 568 Styramide (Catalog Number 45030) staining in 9L-LacZ cells (overexpressing β-Gal) treated with SenTraGor™ or SeneTrace™ Blue. Fluorescence intensities were observed using a Cy3 filter set.
Lipofuscin autofluorescence (400–700 nm) can interfere with fluorescence imaging in aged tissues. XAF Black™ reagents quench this background for cleaner imaging results.
This document (01.0227.251203r1) was last updated on Sat Feb 28 2026. All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.