stain similar to neutral red - stain unfixed cells directly (Oct/18/2006 )

Hi,
I am wondering if there is other stain that's similar to neutral red: a non fluroescent stain that can stain unfixed cells directly. any color other than red, non fluroescent, dye that stain any part of the cell is fine.
thank you!

uhm...
I'm pretty ignorant about neutral red staining, but in my lab we use MTT assay on suspension cells such as HL-60 or Molt 4 or Jurkat.
Would it suit you? Or is that completely different from what you need?
If you think it's ok I can send you our protocol.

MTT is to quantify the viability of the cells.
what is neutral red for?

Neutral Red can be used to determine viability too. living cells with intact membranes take up the dye and store it in lysosomes.
How about Trypan Blue? Instead of staining the living cells it stains the dead ones, and it's not red!