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The Comet Assay

A Sensitive Genotoxicity Test for the Detection of DNA Damage and Repair

  • Protocol
DNA Repair Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 314))

Abstract

The comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis) is a simple and sensitive method for studying DNA damage and repair. In this microgel electrophoresis technique, a small number of cells suspended in a thin agarose gel on a microscope slide is lysed, electrophoresed, and stained with a fluorescent DNA-binding dye. Cells with increased DNA damage display increased migration of chromosomal DNA from the nucleus toward the anode, which resembles the shape of a comet. The assay has manifold applications in fundamental research for DNA damage and repair, in genotoxicity testing of novel chemicals and pharmaceuticals, environmental biomonitoring, and human population monitoring. This chapter describes a standard protocol of the alkaline comet assay and points to some useful modifications.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm, Germany

    Günter Speit

  2. Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland

    Andreas Hartmann

Authors
  1. Günter Speit
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  2. Andreas Hartmann
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacological Sciences, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY

    Daryl S. Henderson

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© 2006 Humana Press Inc.

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Speit, G., Hartmann, A. (2006). The Comet Assay. In: Henderson, D.S. (eds) DNA Repair Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 314. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-973-7:275

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-973-7:275

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-513-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-973-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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