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Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia

Published in:

01-06-2012

A Detailed Mammosphere Assay Protocol for the Quantification of Breast Stem Cell Activity

Authors: Frances L. Shaw, Hannah Harrison, Katherine Spence, Matthew P. Ablett, Bruno M. Simões, Gillian Farnie, Robert B. Clarke

Published in: Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia | Issue 2/2012

Abstract

Since the discovery that neural tissue contains a population of stem cells that form neurospheres in vitro, sphere-forming assays have been adapted for use with a number of different tissue types for the quantification of stem cell activity and self-renewal. One tissue type widely used for stem cell investigations is mammary tissue, and the mammosphere assay has been used in both normal tissue and cancer. Although it is a relatively simple assay to learn, it can be difficult to master. There are methodological and analytical aspects to the assay which require careful consideration when interpreting the results. We describe here a detailed mammosphere assay protocol for the assessment of stem cell activity and self-renewal, and discuss how data generated by the assay can be analysed and interpreted.

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Title: A Detailed Mammosphere Assay Protocol for the Quantification of Breast Stem Cell Activity
Authors: Frances L. Shaw
Hannah Harrison
Katherine Spence
Matthew P. Ablett
Bruno M. Simões
Gillian Farnie
Robert B. Clarke
Publication date: 01-06-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 1083-3021
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7039
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-012-9255-3

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