Mutagenicity: Assays and Applications presents an extensive examination of the detection, assessment and future of mutagenicity, particularly as it concerns human health and the environment. Chapters focused on specific types of mutagens or testing methods for their detection collectively explore the current state of human and environmental mutagenesis, future perspectives and regulatory needs. The test procedures for measuring mutagenicity, their advantages and limitations are described with practical and procedural detail, along with their presentation and data processing aspects. It is an essential reference covering the breadth and depth of the field of mutagenicity studies and regulation. By providing both important introductory material and practical assays and applications, this book is useful to graduate students, academic and industry researchers and regulators at various stages of their careers, leading to improved risk assessment and regulation. Presents an up-to-date and in-depth review of the current state of mutagenesis research Draws upon the combined experience and expertise of an international group of highly respected editors and chapter authors Provides an introduction to the concept of mutagenesis with particular consideration given to novel chemicals and materials

The compilation of this book was prompted by the necessity of a bench volume which could provide the necessary background information on materials, experimental design, pitfalls and dificulties, in order to perform a particular test in an acceptable way with a minimal need for additional expert help. This Second Edition updates this information, providing: - a comprehensive bench guide - methods known to be reliable - a broad spectrum of approaches - tips to avoid pitfalls when using unfamiliar techniques - data from population records - safety aspects of mutagens and carcinogens - basic statistical concepts for experiment design This `on the bench' methodological text provides the necessary information for most of the common assays for genetic damage in use. The book includes methods which have been sufficiently used and tested to make their use reliable, but also presents methods which are not widely used at present, but which might prove most useful in screening for mutagenic effects.

The evaluation of potential mutagenic activity is a critical step in the assessment of the safety of both new and pre-existing chemical types. In Genetic Toxicology: Principles and Methods, expert contributors help to satisfy the demand for education in this tremendously important area of study. The volume covers three basic areas: the scientific basis of the discipline, the methodologies of the main test assays, and the application of the methods, all aimed primarily at scientists in the safety departments of the industries working with both natural and synthetic chemicals. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Intuitive and cutting-edge, Genetic Toxicology: Principles and Methods provides crucial support to both laboratory workers in providing quality information on the appropriate application of techniques and to study directors in their assay selection and protocol design in this vital field.

There is general agreement that increased environmental pollution poses a potential health hazard to humans and that effective control of such genetic injury requires monitoring the exposed individuals for genetic damage and identifying chemicals that may cause mutation or cancer. Tests available for identifying mutagens or carcinogens range from relatively simple, rapid assays in prokaryotes and test systems utilizing mammalian cells in tissue culture to highly elaborate tests in intact animals. No single test can provide data for an unequivocal assessment of the mutagenicity of a given chemical and the risk it might pose to human health. A tier approach, therefore, was suggested for mutagenicity testing in which the suspected agents would be initially evaluated with simple, inexpensive tests that would give qualitative results. Chemicals found to be positive in the first-tier testing would then be evaluated with more complex tests, including those based on mammalian cells in culture. Testing in the final tier requires whole-animal studies, and is expensive and time-consum ing, and even the results from these studies need to be extrapolated for human risk assessment. The mutation systems based on whole animals require scoring large num bers of animals, and therefore are not practical for the routine testing of muta gens. As an alternative to monitoring the pedigree, cells from exposed individ uals may be considered for screening for point mutations through the use of an appropriate marker protein.

A summary of the essential texts that must be performed on all new compounds before they can be registered for use in the UK.

The in vivo alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay, also called alkaline Comet Assay is a method measuring DNA strand breaks in eukaryotic cells.