How do you detect apoptosis?

Apoptosis can be detected by monitoring one of the characteristics involved in the process.

• Morphological changes: imaging with electron microscopy
• DNA fragmentation: TUNEL assay, DNA ladder assay, the comet assay
• Activation of caspase: caspase activity assays involving various caspase substrates and inhibitors
• Release of cytochrome C: western blotting
• Exposure of phosphatidylserine on cell surface: Annexin V Staining
• Change of mitochondrial membrane potential: assays using fluorescent probes such as JC-1, Rhodamine 123, and JC-10TM

A wide variety of technologies can be used to detect apoptosis based on the aforementioned principles, including flow cytometry, ELISA, microscopy, fluorescence microplate reader et al.