Quantification of the proliferative characteristics of normal and malignant cells has been of interest to oncolo gists and cancer biologists for almost three decades. This interest stems from (a) the fact that cancer is a disease of uncontrolled proliferation, (b) the finding that many of the commonly used anticancer agents are preferentially toxic to cells that are actively proliferating, and (c) the observa tion that significant differences in proliferation characteristics exist between normal and malignant cells. Initially, cell cycle analysis was pursued enthusiastically in the hope of gener ating information useful for the development of rational cancer therapy strategies; for example, by allowing identi fication of rapidly proliferating tumors against which cell cycle-specific agents could be used with maximum effec tiveness and by allowing rational scheduling of cell cyc- specific therapeutic agents to maximize the therapeutic ratio. Unfortunately, several difficulties have prevented realiza tion of the early promise of cell cycle analysis: Proliferative patterns of the normal and malignant tissues have been found to be substantially more complex than originally an ticipated, and synchronization of human tumors has proved remarkably difficult. Human tumors of the same type have proved highly variable, and the cytokinetic tools available for cell cycle analysis have been labor intensive, as well as somewhat subjective and in many cases inapplicable to humans. However, the potential for substantially improved cancer therapy remains if more accurate cytokinetic infor mation about human malignancies and normal tissues can be obtained in a timely fashion."

Cytometry is one of the most rapidly growing methodologies available for basic cell and molecular biology, cytogenetics, immunology, oncology, environmental sciences and also various fields of clinical medicine. Thisnew edition, split into 2 Parts, is an almost completely new book, with nearly all of the chapters devoted to new topics. Like the previous volumes on cytometry published as part of the Methods in Cell Biology series, it provides a comprehensive description of particular cytometric methods and reviews their applications. Chapters present the theoretical foundations of the described methods, their applicability in experimental laboratory and clinical settings, and describes common traps and pitfalls such as problems with data interpretation, comparison with alternative assays, and choosing the optimal assay.
* Comprehensive presentation of cytometric methods covering theoretical applications, applicability, potential pitfalls, and comparisions to alternative assays
* Discusses many new assays developed since the previous edition
* Presents recent developments in cytometric intrumentation/technology"

Cytometry is one of the most rapidly growing methodologies available for basic cell and molecular biology, cytogenetics, immunology, oncology, environmental sciences and also various fields of clinical medicine. Thisnew edition, split into 2 Parts, is an almost completely new book, with nearly all of the chapters devoted to new topics. Like the previous volumes on cytometry published as part of the Methods in Cell Biology series, it provides a comprehensive description of particular cytometric methods and reviews their applications. Chapters present the theoretical foundations of the described methods, their applicability in experimental laboratory and clinical settings, and describes common traps and pitfalls such as problems with data interpretation, comparison with alternative assays, and choosing the optimal assay.
* Comprehensive presentation of cytometric methods covering theoretical applications, applicability, potential pitfalls, and comparisions to alternative assays
* Discusses many new assays developed since the previous edition
* Presents recent developments in cytometric intrumentation/technology"

Cytometry is characterization and measurement of cells and cellular constituents, most often usedto immunophenotype cells - that is, to distinguish healthy cells from diseased cells. Flow Cytometry specifically is quite sensitive, allowing researchers todetect rare cell types and residual levels of disease, and as such has been the method of choice for important studies such as monitoring the blood of AIDS patients. For this reason, there is a great need for a practical, comprehensive manualthat will be useful across a broad range of laboratories. This volume, as part of the Reliable Lab Solution Series, delivers such a tool, offering busy researchers across many disciplines a handy resource of all the best methods and protocols for Cytometry to use at the bench.

* Highlights top downloaded and cited chapters, authored by pioneers in the field and enhanced with their tips, and pitfalls to avoid. * Loaded with detailed protocols developed and used by leaders in the field. *Refines, organizes and updates popular methods from one of our top selling series, Methods in Cell Biology"

Quantification of the proliferative characteristics of normal and malignant cells has been of interest to oncolo gists and cancer biologists for almost three decades. This interest stems from (a) the fact that cancer is a disease of uncontrolled proliferation, (b) the finding that many of the commonly used anticancer agents are preferentially toxic to cells that are actively proliferating, and (c) the observa tion that significant differences in proliferation characteristics exist between normal and malignant cells. Initially, cell cycle analysis was pursued enthusiastically in the hope of gener ating information useful for the development of rational cancer therapy strategies; for example, by allowing identi fication of rapidly proliferating tumors against which cell cycle-specific agents could be used with maximum effec tiveness and by allowing rational scheduling of cell cyc- specific therapeutic agents to maximize the therapeutic ratio. Unfortunately, several difficulties have prevented realiza tion of the early promise of cell cycle analysis: Proliferative patterns of the normal and malignant tissues have been found to be substantially more complex than originally an ticipated, and synchronization of human tumors has proved remarkably difficult. Human tumors of the same type have proved highly variable, and the cytokinetic tools available for cell cycle analysis have been labor intensive, as well as somewhat subjective and in many cases inapplicable to humans. However, the potential for substantially improved cancer therapy remains if more accurate cytokinetic infor mation about human malignancies and normal tissues can be obtained in a timely fashion."