Comet analysis method [single cell gel electrophoresis analysis]

Curing cancer is a problem that researchers have been exploring for a long time. We currently know that the carcinogenic process is related to many factors, but if we can stop any of these steps, cancer cells cannot form. Therefore, the technology for detecting carcinogens and the timely discovery of cancer cells are especially important! However, until now, researchers have not been able to develop a simple genetic test or a comprehensive method to detect possible carcinogens. Therefore, the role of carcinogens in DNA remains an important topic in cancer research. Genetic Toxicology is a science that specializes in the effects of chemistry and various substances on human genetics. The human body is exposed to a large amount of chemicals every day. In order to diagnose the effects of these substances on human DNA, researchers have invented various methods. However, the test methods used by people for many years cannot be accurately and quickly identified. A substance that causes cancer in humans.

In order to solve these problems, Single Cell Gel Assay has emerged, which is also commonly called Comet Assay. It is called comet analysis because the damaged DNA resembles a comet, and this method has proven to be the most sensitive and rapid method. Using this method, researchers can get preliminary results within 24 hours and conclusive evidence within ten days. This method is much faster than other methods, not only to detect whether a substance is a carcinogen, but also to measure the damage of the damaged cell.

Comet analysis is used to determine whether a substance is a carcinogen and to measure its effect on human DNA repair. This analysis involves contacting healthy human white blood cells with the substance being tested, and then using comet analysis. To test, if the substance being tested is a carcinogen, the DNA will be destroyed, and the damaged DNA will begin to free the nucleus to form a comet shape. The more DNA is damaged by carcinogens, the more DNA fragments are. The smaller the DNA fragments are, the faster they are, and the farther they are free, thus forming the tail of the comet, while the larger fragments are located. Close to the nucleus, thus forming the head of the comet. The degree of swimming of the DNA fragment makes it appear as a comet-like shape, which makes it easy for researchers to see the damage course of the cell. The length of the comet is related to the degree of DNA damage. This length refers to the distance from the nucleus to the tail of the comet. That is, the longer the tail end of the comet, the greater the damage to the cell. This method not only measures the smallest pieces of DNA, but also the number of fragments of damaged DNA. So far, this is the best way to analyze DNA damage.

Researchers have found that some substances that may cause cancer do not necessarily directly damage DNA, but only hinder the function of repairing DNA. Therefore, it is more important to accurately measure the effects of various substances on DNA repair. The DNA is not repaired in time, it will produce cancerous lesions. Until recently, all diagnostic methods were unable to accurately measure the effects of a substance on DNA repair. Comet assay is the only method that can accurately detect DNA repair function and detect carcinogens. It is very important to detect DNA repair ability in cancer research. For example, caffeine has been suspected of being carcinogenic. It has not been able to draw positive conclusions through traditional experimental methods. However, using comet analysis, researchers can conclude that although caffeine does not directly destroy DNA, But it will prevent the repair of DNA and eventually lead to cancer. Human cells are exposed to various carcinogens all the time, leading to DNA damage. However, the human body can repair damaged DNA and restore cell function to normal. If a substance affects the repair of DNA, the damaged cells cannot be restored to their original state and become cancer cells.

Apoptosis is another function of human self-protection. If the body determines that a cell is bad enough to be repaired, the Apoptosis process will begin. Researchers see it as a planned death of cells, which is similar to cell suicide. At the same time, the cell breaks down its own DNA into pieces and transfers useful organelles to neighboring cells. When damaged cells lose their suicidal function, the problem arises. These damaged cells continue to replicate and spread throughout the body. As the research progresses, people become more aware of the Apoptosis process. Researchers are now It is believed that the loss of Apoptosis suicide function may be an indirect cause of certain cancers or other pathologies.

Comet assays can detect cells that have lost suicidal function more quickly and accurately than other methods, and can provide early data on the process of suicide. These advantages are enough to make this test a study in the field of cancer. Important tool. Comet analysis has great benefits for solving many problems in biology, medicine and toxicology. The high sensitivity of comet assay and the ability to measure DNA repair make it destined to become an important tool for the determination of carcinogens. The reason why people pay more and more attention to comet analysis is because it can not only identify carcinogens, but also test the degree of DNA damage in cells.

In nature, there are many chemical substances that are carcinogenic, but not every carcinogen causes DNA breakage. Some carcinogens only cause DNA damage. Comet analysis can detect this type of carcinogenesis when cells are repaired. Substance, which was not possible with previous tests. The significant difference between comet assays and other tests is that the former uses healthy human cells to test DNA repairing ability and the risk of cancer, while the latter uses cancer cells. In addition, other tests are simply experimenting with animals or bacteria, which has recently caused much controversy because animals cannot be compared to humans. Conversely, the comet analysis method is based on human cells, so the accuracy of the experimental results is indisputable. Comet assay is the first method to test carcinogens using normal human cells, and this method has shown great potential in the field of predicting carcinogens. Another advantage of comet analysis is its powerful ability to test complex steps in the carcinogenic process. So far, there is no test method that can accurately measure the carcinogenicity of a carcinogen and its impact on human health. However, using comet analysis, researchers can accurately measure the damage of a substance to human DNA and the speed of DNA repair.

The most striking difference between comet analysis and other analytical methods is that comet analysis can quantitatively analyze DNA damage and self-repair. In other words, it can measure the degree of DNA damage, and other tests can only determine whether a substance is carcinogenic, and can not detect the degree of carcinogenesis, and can not detect the speed of DNA repair. A further understanding of carcinogens enhances the ability of humans to prevent cancer. Using comet analysis, researchers can identify those substances (including nutrients) that can actually improve their DNA repair capabilities. In addition, the use of comet analysis can also let doctors know whether a drug is effective for cancer patients. Comet analysis is a method that can accurately detect the effects of chemical and radioactive substances on human cells. It can be said to be an unprecedented discovery. Comet analysis can also test many undetected carcinogens, which allows us to detect carcinogens early and prevent them.

Different people are in different environments. If we can know if there is any carcinogen in the surrounding environment, we can better prevent it from happening. When we know the history of cancer and how to prevent cancer, our attitude towards cancer will be more calm, and we believe that with the development of this technology, in the near future The incidence of cancer and the mortality of cancer will be greatly reduced.