Transformation of normal cells into neoplastic cells occurs through a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations, resulting in a cell population capable of proliferating independently of internal and external signals that normally restrict their growth. Traditionally, the soft agar colony formation test was used to monitor cell transformation and anchorage-independent growth, with manual counting of proliferated cells after 3-4 weeks of cell growth.

 

Our conventional soft agar cell transformation assay kits do not involve subjective hand counting of colonies and do not require an incubation period of 3 to 4 weeks. Instead, the cells are incubated only 6-8 days in a semi-solid agar medium before being solubilized, lysed and detected by a fluorochrome.

The results are read in a fluorescence plate reader (see test principle below). This format provides a high throughput quantitative method for accurately measuring cell transformation. In addition, the short incubation time (6-8 days) allows to assay transiently transfected cells with oncogenes or siRNAs.

 

• Uses a traditional soft agar matrix
• Quantification of cell transformation without manual cell counting
• Results in 7-8 days, compared to 3 weeks for conventional methods