Epilogue and Final Remarks

Non-Conventional Animal Models in Ecotoxicological and Genotoxicological Studies intends to stimulate practical discussions on the use of non-conventional biotic matrices to address scientific challenges faced in these fields. It provides real-life examples to convey that the use of a non-conventional animal model, far from being a scientific conundrum, may instead provide real answers to some of our planet's problems. In this epilogue, we summarise the book and we hope that the importance of the status of the environment using autochthonous, non-target species, which are truly exposed to locally used xenobiotic agents, is realised.Fil: Larramendy, Marcelo Luis. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Cátedra de Citología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Liwszyc, G.e.. University of Helsinki. Faculty of Science. Department of Physics; Finlandi

Measuring DNA modifications with the comet assay: a compendium of protocols

The comet assay is a versatile method to detect nuclear DNA damage in individual eukaryotic cells, from yeast to human. The types of damage detected encompass DNA strand breaks and alkali-labile sites (e.g., apurinic/apyrimidinic sites), alkylated and oxidized nucleobases, DNA–DNA crosslinks, UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and some chemically induced DNA adducts. Depending on the specimen type, there are important modifications to the comet assay protocol to avoid the formation of additional DNA damage during the processing of samples and to ensure sufficient sensitivity to detect differences in damage levels between sample groups. Various applications of the comet assay have been validated by research groups in academia, industry and regulatory agencies, and its strengths are highlighted by the adoption of the comet assay as an in vivo test for genotoxicity in animal organs by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The present document includes a series of consensus protocols that describe the application of the comet assay to a wide variety of cell types, species and types of DNA damage, thereby demonstrating its versatility.</p