What is Cells-to-CT?

Invitrogen Cells-to-CT kits measure relative gene expression by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) without the need for RNA purification prior to amplification. Available in both TaqMan and SYBR Green detection chemistries, Cells-to-CT kits provide a complete workflow for qPCR analysis directly from cultured cells, providing you with excellent performance, reliability, and world-class support.


Benefits of Cells-to-CT kits

  • Extraordinary ease and speed—96 samples for RT-qPCR in less than 10 min
  • Skip RNA purification—no columns, heating, or centrifugation
  • Exceptional performance—designed for consistent accuracy, reproducibility, and sensitivity with 1–100,000 cells
  • Analytically validated workflows—complete sets of reagents pre-optimized to work efficiently right out of the box

Invitrogen TaqMan Cells-to-CT Express Kit


Perform RT-PCR directly from cell lysates without extraction using the newest product in the Cells-to-CT family. This kit allows you to prepare cells for RT-qPCR analysis in just 5 minutes with a simplified workflow that is suitable for a few samples, or scalable for automated, high‑throughput applications.

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Cells-to-CT kit selection guide

 TaqMan Cells-to-CT Express KitCells-to-CT 1-Step TaqMan KitSingle Cell-to-CT qRT-PCR KitTaqMan Fast Advanced Cells-to-CT Kit
 product photoproduct photoproduct photoproduct photo
Cell working range10–100,000 cells10–100,000 cells1–10 cells10–100,000 cells
1-step or 2-step2-step1-step1-step2-step
 SYBR Green Fast Advanced Cells-to-CT KitCells-to-CT 1-Step Power SYBR Green Kit
 product photoproduct photo
Cell working range10–100,000 cells10–100,000 cells
1-step or 2-step2-step1-step
TaqMan detection chemistry
 TaqMan Cells-to-CT Express KitCells-to-CT 1-Step TaqMan KitSingle Cell-to-CT qRT-PCR KitTaqMan Fast Advanced Cells-to-CT Kit
 product photoproduct photoproduct photoproduct photo
Cell working range10–100,000 cells10–100,000 cells1–10 cells10–100,000 cells
1-step or 2-step2-step1-step1-step2-step
SYBR Green detection chemistry
 SYBR Green Fast Advanced Cells-to-CT KitCells-to-CT 1-Step Power SYBR Green Kit
 product photoproduct photo
Cell working range10–100,000 cells10–100,000 cells
1-step or 2-step2-step1-step

Read more about the difference between 1-step vs 2-step kits

Read more about the difference between TaqMan vs SYBR Green detection chemistries

 

Cell lines compatible with Cells-to-CT kits
Cell lineGrowth typeSource speciesSource tissue
A549adherentH. sapiensLung carcinoma
BJadherentH. sapiensForeskin
CHO-K1adherentC. griseus (hamster)Ovary
COS-7adherentC. aethiops (monkey)Kidney
DU-145adherentH. sapiensProstate
HEK-293adherentH. sapiensKidney
HeLaadherentH. sapiensCervical adenocarcinoma
HepG2adherentH. sapiensLiver carcinoma
Huh-7adherentH. sapiensLiver
JurkatsuspensionH. sapiensAcute T cell leukemia
K562suspensionH. sapiensBone marrow
ME-180adherentH. sapiensCervical epidermoid carcinoma
NCI-H460adherentH. sapiensLung
Neuro 2AadherentM. musculusBrain
NIH/3T3adherentM. musculus (mouse)Embryonic fibroblast
PC-12adherentR. norvegicus (rat)Adrenal pheochromocytoma
PT-K75adherentS. scrofa (pig)Nasal turbinate mucosa
RajisuspensionH. sapiensB lymphocyte
SK-N-ASadherentH. sapiensBrain neuroblast
SK-N-SHadherentH. sapiensBrain fibroblast
U-2 OSadherentH. sapiensBone
U-87 MGadherentH. sapiensBrain glioblastoma 

Note: Due to differences in cell size and composition, the maximum number of cells per lysis reaction may be slightly different for different cell lines. Test for inhibition and minimal sample input by using the TaqMan Cells-to-CT Control Kit.

Research solutions for downstream RT-PCR (qPCR) analysis

Leverage our diverse product offerings for real-time, quantitative PCR applications to build a complete experimental workflow solution. Explore our powerful assay design algorithms, optimized master mixes, intuitive data analysis software, and flexible instrumentation to help harness the power of RT-qPCR across a rich and diverse set of applications.

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QuantStudio Real-Time
PCR Instruments

TaqMan Real-Time
PCR Assays

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Real-Time PCR
Reagents and Kits

qPCR data analysis

Real-Time PCR
Data Analysis


Featured resources

Cells-to-CT Kits: A fast way to kill your cells for gene expression analysis

This ASCB presentation shows you how Cells-to-CT kits allow you to measure relative gene expression by qPCR without having to purify RNA prior to amplification.

Cells-to-CT: full video

Learn how to prepare RNA for gene expression analysis from cultured cells, without the need for RNA purification. Fast track to RT-qPCR in only seven minutes. 

Resources for Cells-to-CT kits

Product literature

Protocols

Tips & tricks

Research papers

Application notes

FAQs

(TOP)

Resources
  • Protocol Videos—Videos to help you isolate nucleic acids using a variety of techniques.
  • DNA & RNA Selection Guide—Find the right purification products.
  • Videos—View our library of DNA & RNA purification and analysis videos.
  • Application Notes—Explore our application notes from scientists sharing data for isolation products

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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