title: A modified Luria-Delbrück fluctuation assay for estimating and comparing mutation rates.
abstract: We have investigated the accuracy with which mutation rates may be estimated using a modification of the Luria and Delbrück fluctuation experiment protocol. The modification involves growing a larger-than-usual culture, and plating out a small aliquot of it. Monte Carlo simulations of the experiments confirm that the modification leads to a decrease in the coefficient of variation of the estimated mutation rate where this is based on the median number of mutants detected in a number of cultures grown in parallel. If sets of experimental and control cultures are compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test, then fractional increases in mutation rate can be reliably detected using relatively small numbers of cultures. The modified protocols promise better estimates of mutation rates, offer a powerful test of differences in mutation rates, and are easier to implement in practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine 6E-413, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D006639:Histidine / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D016296:Mutagenesis; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D006639:Histidine