5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine

5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (61135-33-9) is a novel agent for fast and sensitive detection of DNA synthesis in vivo (1). 5-EdU is incorporated into proliferating cells followed by detection with a fluorescent azide using click ligation (1). In contrast to the use of BrdU, the new method does not require sample fixation or DNA denaturation. 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine may be used for studying cell proliferation in the central nervous system and may be combined with BrdU staining in a novel protocol allowing for double labeling of DNA synthesis (2).