Bioluminescence vs. Fluorescence: Choosing the Right Assay for Your Experiment 

From enzyme activity to gene expression, light-based assays have become foundational tools in life science research. Among these, fluorescence and bioluminescence are two of the most widely-used approaches for detecting and quantifying biological events. Both rely on the emission of light, but the mechanisms generating that light—and the practical implications for experimental design—are quite different. 

Choosing between a fluorescence or bioluminescence assay isn’t as simple as picking between two reagents off the shelf. Each has strengths and limitations depending on the application, instrumentation, and biological system. In this blog, we’ll walk through how each method works, where they shine (and where they don’t), and what to consider when deciding which approach is right for your experiment. 

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What 32,000 3D Spheroids Revealed About Culture Conditions

3D Spheroid Cell Culture

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems have become essential tools in cancer research, drug screening and tissue engineering—offering a more physiologically relevant alternative to traditional 2D cultures, which often fail to replicate key in vivo microenvironment features. But as the field has evolved, variability in experimental outcomes has become a key challenge, limiting their reproducibility and translation into clinical settings. While spheroids offer layered architecture, nutrient gradients and multicellular interactions, inconsistent culture methods have made it difficult to draw reliable conclusions across labs.

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No More Dead Ends: Improving Legionella Testing with Viability qPCR

Image of cooling towers.

Legionella is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia with a mortality rate of around 10%​. Contaminated water systems, including cooling towers and hot water systems, serve as primary reservoirs for this opportunistic pathogen. Traditional plate culture methods remain the regulatory standard for monitoring Legionella, but these methods are slow—often requiring 7–10 days for results—and suffer from overgrowth by non-Legionella bacteria​. Additionally, traditional methods fail to detect viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria—cells that remain infectious but do not grow on standard culture media. 

Molecular methods like PCR-based detection provide faster and more sensitive Legionella identification. However, a key limitation persists: PCR detects DNA from both live and dead bacteria, leading to false positives and unnecessary or even wasteful remediation efforts​. To address this challenge, Promega has developed a viability qPCR method that retains the speed of molecular testing while distinguishing viable bacteria from non-viable remnants. In this third blog in our Legionella blog series, we cover how molecular detection methods can be refined to provide actionable results for Legionella monitoring. 

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Overcoming qPCR Inhibitors: Strategies for Reliable Quantification 

Today’s blog is written by guest blogger, Gabriela Saldanha, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Promega.

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is an indispensable tool for nucleic acid analysis, widely used in research, clinical diagnostics and applied sciences. Its sensitivity and specificity make it a powerful method for detecting and quantifying DNA and RNA targets. However, qPCR reactions are highly susceptible to inhibitors—substances that interfere with enzyme activity, primer binding, or fluorescent signal detection. These inhibitors can originate from biological samples, environmental contaminants, or laboratory reagents, potentially leading to inaccurate quantification, poor amplification efficiency, or complete reaction failure.

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IC50, EC50 and Kd: What is the Difference and Why Do They matter?

A modern computer monitor displays a data analytics graph with an upward-trending line in orange and red. The screen has a dark theme with a grid overlay and numerical values. The monitor is set on a desk with a keyboard and mouse, illuminated by warm ambient lighting in the background, creating a professional, high-tech atmosphere.

Three of the most common metrics in drug discover are Kd, IC50 and EC50. At first glance it can seem that they measure the same thing, but they don’t. Kd measures how tightly a molecule or compound binds to its target. IC50 measures inhibition of a function and conversely, EC50 measures activation or induction of a response. Confusing these values can lead to misinterpretation of assay results and costly rework. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

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Glo-ing Above and Beyond: Simplifying Science with MyGlo Reagent Reader

Introduction

When it comes to laboratory tools, few things resonate more than the experiences of researchers who rely on them daily. At the University of Cincinnati the MyGlo Reagent Reader has quickly become an indispensable lab companion, due to its compact design, affordability, and intuitive interface with tailored apps for Promega assays. But what truly sets the MyGlo Reagent Reader apart is how it empowers scientists to focus on their research.

Take Ipsita Kundu, a third-year PhD student at the University of Cincinnati working in Dr. Tim Phoenix’s lab. The Phoenix lab, dedicated to studying innovative brain tumor therapies, faced challenges with their outdated luminescence reader. They needed an affordable, reliable solution to streamline Ipsita’s experiments without compromising accuracy or efficiency.

The MyGlo Reagent reader is Nominated for a 2025 Select Science, Scientists’ Choice Award in the category of Life Sciences Product of the Year. Do you agree that it is a game changer? Vote today!

The MyGlo Reagent Reader was the answer. This blog highlights how this integrated solution is redefining laboratory workflows, enabling researchers to maximize productivity and maintain focus on groundbreaking discoveries. Let’s delve into Ipsita’s story and explore how MyGlo transformed her research.

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Understanding and Combating Legionella in Water Systems with Viability PCR

Water plays a vital role in countless aspects of daily life—drinking, cooling, recreation and more. However, the same systems that deliver these benefits can also harbor Legionella, a waterborne bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia (1). Legionella thrives in stagnant aquatic environments, many of which are human-made and common in modern infrastructure, like in cooling towers, hot tubs and complex building water systems. In this blog, we explore the risks posed by Legionella, the limitations of traditional detection methods and how advanced tools at Promega are transforming water safety monitoring. 

3D illustration showing legionella pneumophilia bacteria in water
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The Greatness of Glycogen: A Central Storage Molecule in Energy Metabolism

Introduction

Glycogen is a fundamental molecule in energy metabolism, serving as the critical storage form of glucose that supports cellular health and energy homeostasis. As a polysaccharide, glycogen is essential for maintaining stable energy levels, particularly during periods of fasting and physical exertion. This article will examine glycogen’s synthesis, storage, and utilization, along with its broader significance in human health and disease. Understanding glycogen’s role can provide valuable insight into energy regulation and metabolic health.

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The Benefits of BCAAs: Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Health and Disease

Introduction

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential nutrients that play a significant role in muscle metabolism and overall health. Comprised of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, BCAAs cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet. Recent research has highlighted how the metabolic pathways are influenced by BCAAs, such as their ability to activate mTOR signaling, which is vital for muscle protein synthesis (Choi, 2024). Beyond muscle growth, BCAAs may support cognitive function and metabolic health, with ongoing research exploring their broader benefits in disease management. This article explores the diverse roles of BCAAs and their impact on health and diseases

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The Brilliance of BHB: A Key Ketone Body in Metabolic Health

Introduction

β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB), the most abundant ketone body, is a crucial molecule that sustains energy production during periods of glucose deprivation. Whether you are fasting, adhering to a ketogenic diet, or simply interested in metabolic flexibility, BHB offers key insights into how our bodies adapt to alternative energy sources. This article will delve into how BHB is produced, the diverse roles it plays, and its implications for health and disease.

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