Short Description
The detection of DNA strand breaks and repair is based on progressive DNA unwinding under highly controlled conditions of alkaline pH, time and temperature. DNA “open sites” are the starting points for the unwinding process. They occur naturally during cell cycle processes at replication forks or the ends of chromosomes. As yet, they may additionally be induced by reactive oxygen species, irradiation or genotoxic chemicals. As basis of the gTOXXs Analyzer, the FADU assay is used which is based on a sensitive fluorescent probe which serves as marker for the loss of intact double stranded DNA. (Decrease in the fluorescence intensity indicates an increase in DNA unwinding and consequently a greater number of DNA strand breaks). The gTOXXs Analyzer provides an alternative to animal testing!