TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) mediated dUTP nick-end labeling) is highly selective for the detection of apoptotic cells, but not necrotic cells or cells with DNA strand breaks resulting from irradiation or drug treatment. In this assay, TdT enzyme catalyses the addition of labeled dUTP to the 3’ ends of cleaved DNA fragments. Fluorescent dye-conjugated dUTP can be used for direct detection of fragmented DNA by fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry.

• Direct labeling of DNA ds breaks with fluorescent dUTP
• Bright and photostable next-generation CF® dyes
• For fixed cells or tissue sections
• Detect by fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry

In TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling), TdT enzyme catalyzes the addition of labeled dUTP to the 3'- ends of the internucleosomal DNA strand breaks that are a hallmark of apoptosis. The CF® dye TUNEL Assay Apoptosis Detection Kits employs dUTP conjugated to the exceptionally bright and photostable fluorescent dyes, for single step fluorescent TUNEL labeling of fixed cells or tissues for analysis by fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry.