用彗星实验技术检测环境遗传毒性物质

彗星实验（COMET Assay）是近年发展起来的在单细胞水平上定量检测DNA损伤的灵敏方法。经过不断改进和完善，用该方法检验的基因损伤已成为鉴别遗传毒性物质的敏感标记物，在致癌作用机制、环境污染监测以及环境毒理和风险评价等研究中，均发挥了重要作用，国内已有越来越多的研究人员开始采用这项技术。本文对彗星实验技术的发展过程、在环境中的应用以及未来的发展趋势进行综述，以利科研人员更加准确地掌握该技术，合理解释有关数据，来推动其进一步的应用和发展。

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF COMET ASSAY FOR DETECTING GENOTOXIC SUBSTANCES IN ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES

COMET assay is a newly developed technology for detecting DNA damage on single cell level. Recently and after continues modification, the assay has been successfully modified to detect several DNA damages and become a sensitive biomarker. It also plays a more and more important role in identifying genotoxic substances from environmental sample, elucidating mechanisms of careinogenicity, as well as biomonitoring environmental pollution. COMET technology has also been applied in environmental toxicology and risk assessment. In this paper, the origination and modification, environmental applications, and future trends are reviewed, for the benefits of utilization, data interpretation, and contributing to its further development by Chinese scientists.