Gentronix has launched the Micronucleus Test (MNT) as part of the continued expansion of its in-vitro genotoxicity testing services.
The new service uses flow cytometric scoring and provides an additional opportunity for the early identification of compounds that are likely to exhibit genotoxic liability.
According to the company, this ensures the rapid prioritisation of compounds for development, saving time and money.
The MNT assay detects aberrant, small nuclei present in the cytoplasm of human TK6 cells.
The result of chromosome mis-segregation, the micronuclei represent fragmented and 'OElost' chromosomes and indicate that DNA damage has occurred.
With the flow cytometric approach, Gentronix uses automated scoring, which removes subjectivity while enabling the rapid measurement of a large number of cells for increased statistical power and higher sample throughput.
Applying the in-vitro Microflow method, the company offers the simultaneous collection of relative survival and membrane integrity parameters for cytotoxicity assessment, as well as cell cycle information.
Microflow makes MNT much faster and simpler than the analysis of chromosomal aberrations, according to Gentronix.
The assay offers a mechanistic insight into earlier results from tests such as Greenscreen HC.
Alternatively, it can be used as a bridge to the in-vivo MNT assay required by the ICH guidelines.
