Chapter 4 - In Vitro Gene Genotoxicity Test Methods

Abstract

Genetic materials form the basis of every cell and allow them to pass on the information from one generation to another. Any insult incurred by the cell leads to altered genetic material and thus damage to the intricate cell machinery and finally, cell death. Humans are constantly exposed to these insults due to exposure to ultraviolet rays or to carcinogens like tobacco smoke, food adulterants, and so on. Following the industrial revolution, there was an indiscriminate use of pesticides and other effluents, which continued to accumulate in the environment with advent of time. Humans are thus unknowingly exposed to such compounds, which are deleterious to their health. These compounds become integrated into the DNA and cause mutations and thus, DNA damage. Any chemical capable of rendering DNA damaged is, therefore, termed genotoxic. Over the past few decades, there have been immense advances in toxicological studies, which help us to identify various genotoxic agents. Whenever a cell is exposed to such genotoxic agents, the changes it introduces in the DNA can lead to carcinogenicity or pathogenesis of certain diseases like atherosclerosis or cardiac dysfunction.