COMET ASSAYS Meaning and
Definition
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Comet assays, also referred to as single-cell gel electrophoresis, are a sensitive and widely used laboratory technique employed to assess DNA damage or repair in individual cells. The name "comet assay" is derived from the comet-like appearance of DNA fragments when visualized using fluorescent microscopy. This technique allows scientists to analyze and quantify DNA strand breaks, alkali-labile sites, and oxidative base damage in cells.
The procedure involves embedding cells in agarose gel on a microscope slide, lysing the cells to release the DNA, subjecting the slides to an electric field to induce DNA migration, and staining the DNA with a fluorescent dye. After staining, the DNA fragments appear as a comet-like structure, with the 'head' containing undamaged DNA and the 'tail' consisting of fragmented DNA. Parameters such as tail length, tail intensity, and tail moment can be measured to determine the extent of DNA damage.
Comet assays have grown in popularity due to their versatility and ease of use. They can be applied to various cell types, including human, animal, and plant cells, making them valuable tools in genetic toxicology, environmental monitoring, and cancer research. Furthermore, comet assays enable the evaluation of DNA repair mechanisms and the assessment of genotoxicity following exposure to different agents, such as chemicals, radiation, or drugs. The results obtained through comet assays provide crucial insights into DNA damage and repair processes, aiding in understanding the impact of genotoxic agents on cellular DNA integrity.
Common Misspellings for COMET ASSAYS
- xomet assays
- vomet assays
- fomet assays
- domet assays
- cimet assays
- ckmet assays
- clmet assays
- cpmet assays
- c0met assays
- c9met assays
- conet assays
- coket assays
- cojet assays
- comwt assays
- comst assays
- comdt assays
- comrt assays
- com4t assays
- com3t assays
- comer assays
Etymology of COMET ASSAYS
The term "comet assay" is derived from its visual resemblance to a comet. It was first developed in 1984 by Swedish scientist Östling and Johanson, and later modified by Singh et al. in 1988. The assay involves embedding cells in agarose gel on a slide, lysing the cells, and subjecting the slide to electrophoresis. When the electric field is applied, fragmented DNA strands migrate away from the nucleus in a comet-like shape, thus giving rise to the name "comet assay". The test serves as a DNA damage detection method widely used in genotoxicity and cytotoxicity studies.
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