The present invention relates to methods of detecting, in a sample, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and/or cells undergoing reprogramming to produce induced pluripotent stem cells. These methods include providing a sample potentially containing such cells and providing a rosamine derivative compound of the formula (I): where the rosamine derivative compound selectively produces fluorescent signals for embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and/or cells undergoing reprogramming to produce induced pluripotent stem cells. These methods also include the steps of contacting the sample with the rosamine derivative compound and detecting the presence of the embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and/or cells undergoing reprogramming to produce induced pluripotent stem cells based on fluorescent signals emitted by the sample following said contacting.