Cell Cycle Flow Cytometry Assay Principle

The sequence of cell cycle events can be identified as follows: Initiating from a quiescent Phase (Phase G0), cell growth and preparation of chromosomes replication take place (Phase G1). The cell cycle continues with synthesis of DNA (S Phase) and is followed by division preparation (Phase G2). The cycle completes with mitosis (M Phase) resulting in newly divided cells, which either exit the cell cycle or start the process again. M Phase is itself composed of Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase. Basic cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry utilizes the change in DNA content through the stages to identify cells in different stages of division.

 

DNA content by phase of the cell cycle

Cell cycle phases.Flow cytometry assays use an analysis of DNA content to determine the cell cycle phase at a single cell level. The histogram shows a population analysis color coded by phase.