I am using MCF7 cell line which doubling time is greater than 30 hours, will the thymidine double blocks (block 1; 16 hr-->9 hr release-->block 2: 15 hr ) works better or serum starvation protocol?
You may synchronize the cells by applying (low) ionizing radiation (doses to be tested for your cell line).
WD
I have tried both techniques (not in mcf7). Double thymidine block worked better in my cell line (Caco-2) as the cells were not as stressed and higher percentage of cells were at G1/S.
After releasing the cells you can do a timepoint (analyze by flow or western blot) to see how long it will take for the cells to enter other phases of cell cycle.
I tried with serum starvation for 24 hs and work well for MCF7 and other breast cancer cells.
Hope it helps
Serum-starvation or double thymidine block are, indeed, effective strategies for your stated purpose for most human cancer, including breast cancer, cell lines which are not hormone-sensitive. MCF.7 being hormone-sensitive could pose a challenge. The former would be a safer approach at different time intervals to determine the one which works well in your system. I have had a better result at 20 hours of serum starvation.
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