BrdU Cell Proliferation

Evaluation of cell cycle progression is essential for investigations in many scientific fields. Measurement of [3H] thymidine incorporation as cells enter S phase has long been the traditional method for the detection of cell proliferation. Subsequent quantification of [3H] thymidine is performed by scintillation counting or autoradiography. This technology is slow, labor intensive and has several limitations including the handling and disposal of radioisotopes and the necessity of expensive equipment. A well-established alternative to [3H] thymidine uptake has been demonstrated by numerous investigators (1-8). In these methods bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a thymidine analog replaces [3H] thymidine. BrdU is incorporated, into newly synthesized DNA strands of actively proliferating cells. Following partial denaturation of double stranded DNA, BrdU is detected immunochemically allowing the assessment of the population of cells, which are actively synthesizing DNA.Exalpha Biologicals BrdU Cell Proliferation Assay involves incorporation of BrdU into cells cultured in microtiter plates using the cell layer as the solid phase. The resultant assay is sensitive, rapid, easy to perform and applicable to high sample throughput. In addition to evaluation of cell proliferation, information such as cell number, morphology and analysis of cellular antigens can be obtained from a single culture.