Siegfried Knasmüller & Michael Fenech 
The Micronucleus Assay in Toxicology 

Concerns about the adverse health effects of chemicals and radiation present in the environment and at workplaces have created the need for better detection systems to assess their potential to cause DNA damage in humans and other organisms across ecosystems. The Micronucleus Assay in Toxicology is the first comprehensive volume concerning the use of micronucleus assays in genetic toxicology. It succinctly explains the mechanisms by which genotoxins cause micronucleus formation and its relation to diseases. Furthermore, it describes the methods which are currently used for the analyses of micronuclei in different types of cells in human in vivo biomonitoring studies, routine in vivo tests with rodents, in vitro studies with human and mammalian cells, environmental monitoring with invertebrates and vertebrates such as molluscs, fish and, also, in plant bioassays. Moreover, this book also focuses on the use of the micronucleus technique in other research areas, including the detection of DNA damage caused by important groups of genotoxic carcinogens (heavy metals, industrial chemicals, cytotoxic drugs, pesticides, ionising radiation, etc.) as well as study designs, statistical analyses, international regulatory guidelines, and the development of automated scoring devices for this assay. This book will serve as both, a reference and a guide to students, and investigators in biomedical, biochemical and pharmaceutical sciences interested in gaining a better understanding of the biology of micronuclei and their application in measuring DNA damage caused by natural or man-made genotoxins.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

A Short Personal History of Micronuclei; Mechanisms by which Genotoxins Cause Micronuclei and Other Nuclear Anomalies; The Fate of Micronuclei and Micronucleated Cells; Micronuclei and their Association with Infertility, Pregnancy Complications, Developmental Defects, Anaemias, Inflammation, Diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease, Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease, Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer; The Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus Cytome Assay in Human Lymphocytes; Micronucleus Cytome Assay with Buccal Cells; Experiments with Micronucleus Assays Using Nasal, Urothelial and Cervical Human Cells; Micronuclei in Bone Marrow Cells of Rodents; The in vitro Micronucleus Assay with Rodent Hepatocytes; Micronucleus Assays with Human Lymphocytes for in vitro Genetic Toxicology Testing; The Micronucleus (Mn) Assay Using Human-derived Cells; Micronucleus Experiments with Non-Human Mammalian Cells; Micronucleus Experiments with Fish Cell Lines; The Piscine Erythrocyte Micronucleus Cytome Assay; Micronucleus Experiments with Reptiles; Micronucleus Assays in Amphibians; Micronucleus Experiments with Bivalve Molluscs; Micronucleus Assays with Meiotic Pollen Tetrad Cells of Tradescantia and with Mitotic Root Tip Cells of Allium cepa and Vicia faba; Automated Identification and Scoring of Micronuclei; Regulatory Aspects and Guidelines for the Use of Micronucleus Assays in Mammalian and Human Cells; Micronucleus Assay: Epidemiological and Statistical Issues; Effects of Tobacco Smoking on Micronucleus Frequency; Khat, Betel, Coca and Tobacco Chewing: Genotoxic Effects in Micronucleus Assays; Electromagnetic Fields and Micronuclei; Use of the Micronucleus Assay in Occupational Studies Involving Exposure to Genotoxic Chemicals – An Overview; Ionising Radiation Exposure Biodosimetry Using the Lymphocyte Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus Cytome Assay; Heavy Metals I – Lead, Mercury and Cadmium and their Impact on DNA Damage Measured by the Micronucleus Assay; Heavy Metals II – Arsenic, Chromium, Nickel, Vanadium and Micronuclei; Effect of in vivo Formaldehyde Exposure on DNA Damage Measured by the Micronucleus Assay in Lymphocytes, Buccal Cells and Nasal Cells; Pesticide Exposure and Effects on Micronucleus Frequency; Petroleum, its Derivatives and Micronuclei; Butadiene and its Effects on Micronucleus Frequency; The Effect of Dust, Asbestos and Other Fibers on DNA Damage Measured Using the Micronucleus Assays; Use of Micronucleus Assays to Measure DNA Damage Caused by Coal Dust and Ash; Micronucleus Assay as Cytogenetic Biomarker of Ethylene Oxide Exposure; Use of Micronucleus Assays to Measure DNA Damage Caused by Cytostatic/Antineoplastic Drugs; Micronucleus Assay for Assessing Chromosomal Damage of Medical Workers Exposed to Anaesthetic Gases; Micronucleus Induction by Exposure to Vinyl Chloride