Yeast DNA Flow Cytometry

Abstract

Yeast cells are abundant and relatively simple to manipulate therefore they have often been used to explore the process of cell growth and division. In the presence of mutations drugs or temperature conditions, DNA synthesis in these yeast cells, is slowed or inhibited. One of the tools that will reveal these changes uses DNA-binding fluorochromes, which are then examined by flow cytometry. To monitor the change in cell cycle of the yeast, the investigators synchronize the yeast culture, treat it via temperature or drugs, release it from synchrony, fix an aliquot from various time points as the cells come out of arrest, stain with the DNA binding dyes and compare the staining patterns to control cells. The staining patterns reveal changes in the cell cycle progression.