A Convenient Method for Assay of Dna Synthesis in Synchronized Human Cell Cultures

In studies of dynamic changes in cellular structure and metabolism and the experimental modification of these properties during various stages of the cell cycle, it is often desirable to determine periodically the synthesis of macromolecules in the cell. In this paper we present a simplified method for determining the rates and total amount of DNA synthesis and R N A synthesis in synchronized human cells in suspension culture. The method is also applicable to monolayer cultures of human and other mammal ian cells. Comparisons have been made between the results obtained by this method and the usual radioautographic techniques. With certain modifications, the method can be extended for measuring protein synthesis.