Investigating DNA Damage.

DNA damage; BIOCHEMICAL genetics; MOLECULAR biology; CHEMICAL structure; CHROMOSOME abnormalities; DNA; NUCLEIC acids; GENES; EUKARYOTIC cells

The article presents information related to the investigation of DNA damage. The comet assay is used is a research tool to detect DNA damage. It is helpful for use as an inquiry based molecular laboratory. The comet assay is also extremely sensitive, as a dilution of household hydrogen peroxide by a factor of one in twenty-thousand yields abundant DNA damage that is readily detected with the assay. DNA strand damage in somatic cells can cause the formation of cancerous tumors, while damage in reproductive cells may produce harmful mutations or chromosomal abnormalities that can be passed on to offspring. Since the chemical structure of DNA is conserved throughout all life forms, a damaging agent identified via the comet assay poses potential harm to any organism. The comet assay begins with the treatment of virtually any type of non-degraded eukaryotic cell with a physical or chemical agent. The treated cells are then suspended in molten agarose, and the agarose is spread over a specially treated microscope slide and allowed to harden.