Labeling cells in microtiter plates for determination of [3H]thymidine uptake

A number of protocols in Current Protocols in Immunology use as their end-point the determination of cell proliferation by determining the incorporation of [(3)H]thymidine into cellular DNA. This appendix presents a protocol in which the radioactive label is added during the last 4 to 24 hr of the culture. A semiautomated cell harvesting apparatus is then used to lyse the cells with water and precipitate the labeled DNA on glass fiber filters. The filter pads are then dried and counted by standard liquid scintillation counting techniques in a scintillation counter.