The in vitro micronucleus assay

Abstract

The in vitro micronucleus test detects genotoxic damage in interphase cells. The in vitro micronucleus test provides an alterative to the chromosome aberration test, and because the in vitro micronucleus test examines cells at interphase, the assessment of micronuclei can be scored faster, as the analysis of damage is thought to be less subjective and is more amenable to automation. Micronuclei may be the result of aneugenic (whole chromosome) or clastogenic (chromosome breakage) damage. This chapter provides methods for mononucleate and binucleate micronucleus tests and the addition of centromeric labelling and a non-disjunction assay to investigate any potential aneugenic mode of action. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.