Cell cycle simulation for flow cytometry.

A program has been implemented on a VAX computer that simulates the progression of cells through the cell cycle and generates data similar to those obtained in flow cytometry with different techniques. Features of the program are general applicability and flexibility, options including consideration of (a) mean duration of cell cycle phases, (b) their inter-cell distribution, (c) a first order commitment from G0 into G1 phase, and (d) a total or partial block of the output from any phase. Examples are given of simulated flow cytometric experiments of drug-induced cell cycle perturbation and of bromodeoxyuridine pulse labeling. This program should help to acquire a correct understanding of the relationship between kinetic features and flow cytometric data.