Cell Cycle Analysis using Flow Cytometry II

- BrdU Continuous Labeling and Cell Cycle Time -

Abstract

The BrdU continuous labeling method was presented for a method that can determine the cell cycle time. In this method, the relationships are derived using an equation that n( t,τ) =αN₀exp(αt) exp (ατ), where n (t,τ) is cell density of a phase τ at time t, N₀ is the initial cell number at time t = 0, Tc is cell-cycle time and α = ln2 / Tc. BrdU is incorporated into DNA strand instead of TdR. Anti BrdU monoclonal antibody is used to distinguish labeled and unlabeled cells in a population and to determine the fraction. The plotting of labeled or unlabeled cell fraction against time reveals the cell cycle time.