NILU’s health effects laboratory has strong expertise in genotoxicity testing and uses a range of test methods to assess the potential genotoxicity of nanomaterials, environmental pollutants, and other chemicals on DNA, genes, or chromosomes.
Our test package meets regulatory requirements for genotoxicity testing and can be performed under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
DNA Damage
- Comet Assay
We investigate DNA damage and genotoxicity by measuring single-strand breaks and oxidative base damage using the comet assay. The assay can also be run as a high-throughput method. - Ɣ-H2AX Assay
We investigate DNA double-strand breaks using the Ɣ-H2AX assay.
Chromosome Damage (Mammalian Micronucleus Test)
We perform the micronucleus test (OECD test guideline 487) to detect chromosome damage (clastogenic or aneugenic effect, in contrast to gene mutation tests that detect gene damage).
Gene Mutation Testing
We assess the potential mutagenic effect of a substance with gene mutation tests. Gene mutations are an important toxicological endpoint as they refer to chemicals that may be potentially carcinogenic.
We perform in vitro HPRT mutation tests (OECD test guideline 476) and Mouse Lymphoma tests (OECD test guideline 490) for the analysis of gene mutations.
Cell Transformation Test (Biomarker for Cancer)
We perform cell transformation tests (Cell transformation assay Bhas42) for testing genotoxic and non-genotoxic substances, based on morphological transformation as the endpoint. Transformed cells with uncontrolled cell growth form colonies, or foci, which are counted.