Hence
cells may be double stained with a substance like the
Hoechst dye that stains all cells regardless of their
viability providing the chance to differentiate dead
cells from living ones (Figure 2a). In addition, whether
or not dead cells die due to apoptosis or necrosis
is investigated by examining the nuclear morphology,
as it is the case with hematoxylin staining. Therefore,
flourescence imaging allows discrimination between
apoptotic and necrotic cells as well.