Genotoxicity tests can be defined as in vitro and in vivo tests designed to detect compounds that induce genetic damage by various mechanisms. These tests enable hazard identification with respect to damage to DNA and its fixation.

What is the meaning of genotoxicity?

Similar term(s): genotoxicity. Definition: Toxic (damaging) to DNA. Substances that are genotoxic may bind directly to DNA or act indirectly leading to DNA damage by affecting enzymes involved in DNA replication, thereby causing mutations which may or may not lead to cancer or birth defects (inheritable damage).

How do you determine genotoxicity?

The most commonly applied methods for detecting genotoxicity include the bacterial Ames test, DNA strand break measurements in cells (e.g. comet assay, alkaline unwinding and hydroxyapatite chromatography, alkaline elution), and cytogenetic assays (micronucleus and chromosomal aberration assays, including the use of …