Use Of Mammalian Cells Research Articles

Chemical mutagenesis of mammalian cells can be quantified.

STUDY of mammalian genetics has been traditionally limited to conventional breeding experiments, which are limited by high cost, long duration and the availability of well-characterised genetic markers. These factors have especially impeded rapid progress in mammalian mutagenesis studies. Many of the mechanisms underlying the process of mutation induction in mammals can be investigated through the use of mammalian cells in culture1–5, but the use of cultured cells for quantitative analyses of mutagenesis has been hampered by the lack of a suitable mutation–induction system, particularly with chemical mutagens. We show here that quantitative dosimetry of chemical mutagenesis can be studied in a mammalian cell culture system. This will allow not only studies of the mechanisms of chemical mutagenesis, but also an estimate of the genetic hazard of chemical agents in the environment.

The Use of Mammalian Cells to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Agents for Preventing Radiation Damage: Method Based on Formation of Clones and Monolayers

A practical method of using mammalian cells in tissue culture for evaluating candidate radiation-protective agents was demonstrated. The viability of the cells was determined by counting clones or by observing the extent of for mation of monolayers. The method can be used to determine quantitative differences in the degrees of protection afforded by various compounds. (auth)