🔬 Mutation Frequency Calculator
Calculate mutation frequency from the number of mutants observed out of a total population screened.
What This Calculator Does
Mutation frequency describes what fraction of cells (or colonies) in a population carry a particular mutation, and is a common readout in mutagenesis and genotoxicity screening assays.
The Formula
Mutation frequency is simply Mutant count / Total population screened. Because this raw fraction is usually a very small number, it is conventionally also expressed as mutants per million (106) cells, which this calculator provides alongside the raw value.
- Mutant count is the number of mutant colonies or cells observed.
- Total population screened is the total number of cells or colonies plated/tested.
This is a general educational and lab-reference calculation. It reports observed mutation frequency only; it does not correct for factors like plating efficiency, selection stringency, or spontaneous background mutation rate, which should be accounted for separately in a full analysis.