Methods for Synchronizing Cells at Specific Stages of the Cell Cycle

Exponentially growing cells are asynchronous with respect to the cell cycle stage. Detection of cell cycle-related events is improved by enriching the culture for cells at the stage during which the particular event occurs. Methods for synchronizing cells are provided here, including those based on morphological features of the cell (mitotic shake-off), cellular metabolism (thymidine inhibition, isoleucine depravation), and chemical inhibitors of cell progression in G1 (lovastatin), S (aphidicolin, mimosine), and G2/M (nocodazole). Applications of these methods and the advantages and disadvantages of each are described.