Reporter-labeled cell lines are invaluable research tools for studying gene expression and for screening cell lines. Some of the most commonly used reporter systems are those that induce a visually identifiable phenotype such as the emission of fluorescent or luminescent light or the production of a pigmented product.

Fluorescent reporters exhibit a fluorescent signal upon exposure to specific wavelengths of light; luminescent reporters use a luciferase enzyme to catalyze a reaction with its substrate, luciferin, to produce visible light; and chromogenic reporters employ an enzyme label that reacts with a substrate to produce a pigmented product. 

Advantages of Reporter-labeled Cultures

Reporter systems have an array of applications in the basic and applied sciences. In biological research, reporter systems provide a measurable and distinguishable phenotype that can be applied in the analysis of: 

To save you time and the expense associated with the development of reporter-labeled cells, ATCC has incorporated expression vectors harboring fluorescence, luciferase, or β-galactosidase reporter genes into a variety of clinically relevant cell lines.

These cell products have been thoroughly examined for:

• Reporter expression
• Vector stability 
• Compatibility with detection technologies 
• Growth rate
• Morphology