1. DNA Ladder Assay

   Apoptosis DNA Fragmentation is a key feature of programmed cell death and also occurs in certain stages of necrosis. Apoptosis is characterized by the activation of endogenous endonucleases with subsequent cleavage of chromatin DNA into internucleosomal fragments of 180 BP and multiples thereof.DNA cleavage during apoptosis occurs at sites between nucleosomes, protein-containing structures that occur in chromatin at ~200-BP intervals. This DNA fragmentation is often analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis to demonstrate a "ladder" pattern at ~200-BP intervals.

DNA Ladder

2. TUNEL Service

TUNEL is a common method for detecting DNA fragmentation that results from apoptotic signaling cascades. Theassay relies on the presence of nicks in the DNA which can be identified by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, an enzyme that will catalyze the addition of dUTPs that are secondarily labeled with a marker. It may also label cells that have suffered severe DNA damage. The incorporated nucleotides are visualized directly (e.g. Fluorescein dUTP), or with a secondary detection system that has a reporter molecule (e.g. fluorescein, AP, or POD).