Single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) for evaluating nanoparticles-induced DNA damage in cells.

Source

Pathology and Physiology Research Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.

Abstract

Comet assay provides a rapid and reliable way to screen genotoxic effects of a wide variety of nanoparticles. Single cell gel electrophoresis assay (SCGE) or comet assay gained in popularity as a standard technique and is widely used for testing novel particles or chemicals for genotoxicity, monitoring environmental contamination with genotoxins, human biomonitoring and molecular epidemiology, and fundamental research in DNA damage and repair. Here, we describe the method of alkaline comet assay to detect nanoparticle-induced DNA damage.