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Measuring Mutation Rates Using the Luria-Delbrück Fluctuation Assay

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Genome Instability

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1672))

Abstract

The Luria-Delbrück fluctuation assay is one of the most commonly used methods for measuring the mutation rate in microorganisms. Specifically, it is used to measure the mutation rate at a particular locus or loci at which mutations give rise to a selectable phenotype. Here, I outline the essential features of performing Luria-Delbrück fluctuation assays as well as common missteps and tips for improving the accuracy of mutation rate estimates. In addition, I provide tools for analyzing data from fluctuation assays. This 96-well plate protocol has been optimized for use in yeast but should perform equally well for a range of microorganisms using standard microbiological methods.

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Acknowledgments

I thank Sean Buskirk, Katie Fisher, and Dan Marad for comments on this manuscript. This work was supported by a New Investigator grant from the Charles E. Kaufman Foundation of The Pittsburgh Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, USA

    Gregory I. Lang

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  1. Gregory I. Lang
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Correspondence to Gregory I. Lang .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Milano, Italy

    Marco Muzi-Falconi

  2. Donnelly Centre and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Grant W Brown

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Lang, G.I. (2018). Measuring Mutation Rates Using the Luria-Delbrück Fluctuation Assay. In: Muzi-Falconi, M., Brown, G. (eds) Genome Instability. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1672. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7306-4_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7306-4_3

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7305-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7306-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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