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Analysis of Nanoparticle-Induced DNA Damage by the Comet Assay

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Genotoxicity and DNA Repair

Part of the book series: Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology ((MIPT))

Abstract

The rapid and enormous development of nanotechnology has been accompanied by a deep concern for the effects that nanoparticles may have on human health and the environment. In this context, it is essential to assess the ability of nanoparticles to cause DNA damage. Single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) is widely used for evaluating nanoparticle-induced DNA damage in cells and is the most used assay for genotoxicity testing of nanomaterial. Here, we describe the standard alkaline version of the comet assay, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the lesion-specific enzyme-modified comet assay (for detection of oxidized DNA lesions) to test nanoparticles. We also highlight critical points that need to be taken into consideration when assessing nanomaterial genotoxicity.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Jonas Nygren for providing useful advice when developing our in vivo approach.

We thank Andrew R Collins, Zuzana Magdolenova, Lise M Fjellsbø, Elise Runden-Pran for adopting protocol and preparation of standard operating procedure. We also thank Mr. Leszek Huk for making plate for incubation slides and Mr. Michal Zagrodzki for helping with the graphic design.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanosafety Research Center and Systems Toxicology, Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, 00250, Finland

    Julia Catalán & Satu Suhonen

  2. University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    Julia Catalán

  3. Health Effects Laboratory, Department of Environmental Chemistry, NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Kjeller, Norway

    Anna Huk & Maria Dusinska

Authors
  1. Julia Catalán
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  2. Satu Suhonen
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  3. Anna Huk
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  4. Maria Dusinska
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julia Catalán .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain

    L. María Sierra

  2. Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal

    Isabel Gaivão

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Catalán, J., Suhonen, S., Huk, A., Dusinska, M. (2014). Analysis of Nanoparticle-Induced DNA Damage by the Comet Assay. In: Sierra, L., Gaivão, I. (eds) Genotoxicity and DNA Repair. Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1068-7_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1068-7_14

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1067-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1068-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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