DNA laddering

White DNA bands against a dark grey background, resembling the rungs of a ladder — DNA laddering (left) visualised in an agarose gel by ethidium bromide staining. A 1 kb marker (middle) and control DNA (right) are included.

DNA laddering is a feature that can be observed when DNA fragments, resulting from Apoptosis DNA fragmentation are visualized after separation by gel electrophoresis the first described in 1980 by Andrew Wyllie at the University Edinburgh medical school^[1] DNA fragments can also be detected in cells that underwent necrosis, but when these DNA fragments after separation are subjected to gel electrophoresis no clear "ladder" pattern is apparent.^[1]

^ ^a ^b Kressel, Michael; Groscurth, Peter (1 November 1994). "Distinction of apoptotic and necrotic cell death by in situ labelling of fragmented DNA". Cell and Tissue Research. 278 (3): 549–556. doi:10.1007/s004410050244. ISSN 0302-766X. PMID 7850865.

[Kressel1994-1] Kressel, Michael; Groscurth, Peter (1 November 1994). "Distinction of apoptotic and necrotic cell death by in situ labelling of fragmented DNA". Cell and Tissue Research. 278 (3): 549–556. doi:10.1007/s004410050244. ISSN 0302-766X. PMID 7850865.

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