DNA damage focus formation assay

Abstract

Advanced techniques allow investigating cellular DNA damage measurements. Ionizing radiation produces multiple DNA damages. Among them, DNA double strand breaks are most toxic to cells. DSBs can form mutations, chromosome aberrations, and cell killing. Although DSBs in cells can be detected directly by neutral elution, pulse field gel electrophoresis, and premature chromosome condensation, recent technologies like cellular immunocytochemistry-based fluorescence detection allow us to visualize the DSBs in cells. Here, we describe gamma-H2AX and Rad51 focus formation assay, which play an important role in DNA damage responses.