APPLICATION OF THE COMET ASSAY FOR THE DNA DAMAGE ASSESSMENT CAUSED BY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL AGENTS

Sorochinska J.B.

The extended exposure to adverse environmental factors is accompanied by DNA damage increase and alters the repair system activity that can lead to initiation of mutations and malignant transformation in cells. During the last years, many analytical techniques have been developed to estimate DNA damage and investigate processes of DNA repair. However, not all of them possess sufficient sensitivity and specificity for monitoring variety of DNA damages caused by environmental factors. The aim of this review consists in efficiency evaluation of a Single Cells Gel Electrophoresis assay («Comet Assay») for DNA damages detection after exposure to different environmental agents. The assay possesses sensitivity necessary for registration of DNA damage and repair occurring on a single cell level and may be used for assessment of genome integrity.