Update on the concept of the cell cycle: the contribution of flow cytometry

Flow cytometry has been extensively used to provide accurate estimates of the relative amounts of various cellular constituents (DNA, RNA, proteins) for cell kinetic studies. Multiparametric analysis also supports the recent concept that cell growth and the DNA division cycle may be under distinct regulatory mechanisms. Moreover, metabolic subcompartments of the cell cycle, distinguished by flow cytometry, have offered a highly sensitive cell classification in comparison with the conventional distinction of the four main phases of the cell cycle. Finally, a new sensitive and powerful technology, BrdU/DNA analysis, represents a remarkable maturing of a very useful alternative for the study of DNA synthesis and cell cycle traverse.