How does the Levitation Agent interact with cells?

Live cells have intact membranes which exclude the membrane-impermeable Levitation Agent, and the Levitation Agent does not interact with cells in any other way. The Levitation Agent does not bind or affect the cells in any other way. Dead or dying cells have compromised cell membranes which allow the Levitation Agent to enter into the cell thereby changing their levitation height compared to live cells which keep the Levitation Agent out, akin to a stain or dye.