The incorporation of BrdU into newly synthesized DNA by actively cycling cells is one method for measuring the changing amount of cellular DNA during cell proliferation through each of the cell cycle phases. As a thymidine analog, BrdU is preferentially incorporated into newly replicated DNA which can then be subsequently labeled and analyzed to determine relative DNA content and cell cycle position. Incorporation of BrdU is most commonly detected using anti-BrdU antibodies.

A BrdU solution is provided for exposure of actively cycling cells to incorporate BrdU. The EZ-BrdU Kit employs an acid denaturation step. The mild acid method used helps reduce damage to other cellular proteins. After the denaturation step, cells are stained with a FITC anti-BrdU antibody and total DNA is counterstained with a PI/RNase A solution. Two color flow cytometry can then be used to analyze cells that have incorporated BrdU (proliferating cells) in terms of their cell cycle position (G0/1, S, or G2/M phase).

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