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Molecular Probes sells a number of products to assess phagocytosis including
their Fc OxyBurst kit which uses an immune complex of
BSA-dichlorodihyro-fluorescein (H2DCF) and anti-BSA to stimulate phagocytosis.
After the immune complex is phagocytized, the oxidative burst of the cell
oxidizes the H2DCF to DCF, which is fluorescent. The increase in fluorescence
mimics bacterial killing. I have used this kit and it works well, but does have
a shelf life of less than 6 months, I believe. They also sell fluorescent
bacteria and the reagents to make your own particles for phagocytosis.
The Molecular Probes phone number is (541) 465-8300, e-mail for technical
assistance: tech@probes.com
Hope this helps,
Tony Bakke
Director, Clinical Flow Cytometry Lab
Oregon Health Sciences University