Baylor College of Medicine

Vladimir Didenko

Peter Hornsby

David S Baskin

Several types of DNA cuts are used as markers of apoptosis for detection of apoptotic cells in situ. The present invention includes a method to detect DNase II type DNA damage, bearing 5'OH using vaccinia topoisomerase I. The present invention also includes a method combining a ligase-based method to detect DNase I type DNA damage and the topoisomerase based method, resulting in simultaneous detection of two specific types of DNA damage in situ.

Vaccinia topoisomerases I-based assays for detection of specific DNA breaks

The invention relates to the detection of apoptotic cells using a novel assay that employs ligation of DNA fragments in situ to selectively label apoptotic cells. The assay may be used in combination with known in situ methodologies to simultaneously detect apoptotic cells and specific biomolecules present in the apoptotic cell.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Vladimir Didenko