The vertical comet assay is a relatively new technique for quantitatively measuring radiation induced DNA damage in cells. The vertical comet assay provides potential for measuring DNA strand breaks in a dense monolayer of plated cells. This paper explores the successes and challenges of developing a vertical comet assay system for use with the current Microbeam II alpha particle source at RARA...

The micronucleus (MN) test and the alkaline single cell gel or comet assay were applied to exfoliated cells of the buccal mucous in order to evaluate the genotoxic risk associated with occupational exposure of 10 storage battery renovation workers, and 10 car painters, with age matched controls, in Pelotas, RS, in southern Brazil. In the MN test, 2000 exfoliated buccal cells were analyzed for e...

The light curve of Periodic Comet Wirtanen has been analyzed for the 1986 and 1991 apparitions, the only two monitored by visual observers, The comet’s light curve displays a rapid rise of the order of five magnitudes between -73 days and -45 days (prior to perihelion). From -45 to (about) +16 days the comet brightens at a rate of approximately 0.022 magnitudes per day. After reaching peak brig...

The comet assay is a simple and cost effective technique, commonly used to analyze and quantify DNA damage in individual cells. The versatility of the comet assay allows introduction of various modifications to the basic technique. The difference in the methylation sensitivity of the isoschizomeric restriction enzymes HpaII and MspI are used to demonstrate the ability of the comet assay to meas...

Background: This study has used biomarker of exposure-effect continuum to examine the biological characteristics of organophosphate (OP) toxicity and its genotoxic effect among rice farmers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 pesticide exposed rice farmers and 160 adults from the fishing village as the unexposed group. They share the common socio-economical ...

Background: Occupational health is a sensitive field in many countries where occupational exposure needs attention due to the lack of awareness. Several businesses, including leather, textile, iron, steel, and dyeing industries use a variety of mutagenic and genotoxic chemicals. Exposure to these chemicals may pose serious health risks, including genetic damage to workers. Comet assay is a tech...

BACKGROUND The analysis of sperm DNA fragmentation has become a new marker to predict male infertility, and many techniques have been developed. The sperm Comet assay offers the possibility of differentiating single- and double-stranded DNA (ssDNA and dsDNA) breaks, which could have different effects on fertility. The objective of this study was to perform a descriptive characterization of diff...

Key ConceptsThe two-dimensional Two-Tailed Comet assay (TT-comet) protocol is a valuable technique to differentiate between single-stranded (SSBs) and double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) on the same sperm cell.Protein lysis inherent with the TT-comet protocol accounts for differences in sperm protamine composition at a species-specific level to produce reliable visualization of sperm DNA damage.A...