Selective killing of cells in particular phases

This is usually done either with high specific activity tritiated thymidine (Whitemore and Gulyas, 1966) a method which is of fairly general applicability or with hydroxyurea (Sinclair, 1965), a method applicable only to certain susceptible cells. 

Moreover, a major disadvantage with such methods is that the dead cells, although unable to divide, may continue to metabolise for a considerable period, thus confusing any biochemical investigation. 

Cells in mitosis may be selectively removed and discarded over a long period of time. This leaves behind a population most of which should be in G2-phase (Stubblefield, 1964 Creasey and Markiw, 1965 Pfeiffer and Tolmach, 1967). Unfortunately, as well as the probability of selecting slow growers, the use of colchicine, colcemid and vinblastine may not only inhibit mitosis but may also have other effects on cells such as inhibition of RNA synthesis. 

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