What are the applications of cell viability assays?

There are several applications of cell viability assays. One application is its use in drug discovery and development. Cell viability assays are crucial for assessing the cytotoxicity and efficacy of potential compounds on different cell lines or primary cells. Cell viability assays are also commonly used in cancer research to observe the effects of anti-cancer drugs, study mechanisms of cell death, and identify drug targets. Cell viability assays also are vital during tissue engineering. They assess the viability and functionality of cells involved in the process. Viability assessments assist in optimization of tissue culture conditions, cellular interactions, and scaffolding, which all improve the efficacy of tissue engineering. Another application of these assays involves their use in virology. Cell viability assays are used to assess the susceptibility of cells to viral replication or microbial infections. Thus, they are used to study the pathogenicity of different microorganisms and viruses. Lastly, cell viability assays are utilized for environmental monitoring, to assess the impact of pollutants and toxins on living cells.