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  • Current: Jul 26, 2023

TUNEL assay

TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling ) assay is a method to detect DNA strand breaks by using an enzyme terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) and dUTP.

This method is frequently used to detect apoptotic cells that show DNA fragmentation. Fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry is generally used for the detection.

TUNEL assay

Definitions in the literature

  • ... is a long-established assay used to detect cell death-associated DNA fragmentation (3’-OH DNA termini) by endonucleases [1].
  • An assay that relies on detection of DNA strand breaks (DSBs) in situ by labeling them with fluorochromes has been developed to identify and quantify apoptotic cells by fluorescence microscopy or cytometry. The assay is commonly called TUNEL... [2]