Genotoxicity and DNA Repair

Abstract

The cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-cyt) assay was originally established as an ideal system for evaluating chromosomal damage in terms of micronuclei formation. Throughout the years, the micronucleus assay evolved in a comprehensive system for assessing cytogenetic damage, cytostasis and cytotoxicity. The CBMN-cyt assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes and in other cultured mammalian cells is the most common approach to evaluate chromosomal damage induced by environmental agents, including emerging compounds as nanomaterials, and it is the most frequent test system in biomonitoring human populations.