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  • Title: The comet assay: a sensitive genotoxicity test for the detection of DNA damage and repair.
    Author: Speit G, Hartmann A.
    Journal: Methods Mol Biol; 2006; 314():275-86. PubMed ID: 16673888.
    Abstract:
    The comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis) is a simple and sensitive method for studying DNA damage and repair. In this microgel electrophoresis technique, a small number of cells suspended in a thin agarose gel on a microscope slide is lysed, electrophoresed, and stained with a fluorescent DNA-binding dye. Cells with increased DNA damage display increased migration of chromosomal DNA from the nucleus toward the anode, which resembles the shape of a comet. The assay has manifold applications in fundamental research for DNA damage and repair, in genotoxicity testing of novel chemicals and pharmaceuticals, environmental biomonitoring, and human population monitoring. This chapter describes a standard protocol of the alkaline comet assay and points to some useful modifications.
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