5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine

5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) is a thymidine nucleoside derivative that is commonly used to identify proliferating cells.{25404} In proliferating cells, BrdU is incorporated in place of thymidine during the S phase of the cell cycle during DNA synthesis. Actively proliferating cells can then be detected by denaturing the DNA and allowing specific antibodies to target the incorporated BrdU. Intraperitoneal injection of BrdU is commonly used in combination with neuronal markers to detect adult neurogenesis in animal models.{62895,60193} BrdU is also commonly used as a marker of proliferation of cancer cells in vitro.{62898}