A novel approach to the study of kinetically changing cell populations

A method is described for estimating changes in cell cycle times during periods of rapid change in proliferation rate. This method, which depends upon the interpretation of pre- and post-velocity sedimentation fractionation continuous thymidine labelling patterns, exploits the relationship between sedimentation rate and cell cycle location. By this means, cycle times can be estimated under conditions that are difficult (if not impossible) to analyse by FLM methods.