Risk assessment: set-up of new mutagenic shotr-term assays for the assessment of environmental genotoxic risk.

• Grant number: 00/13609-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2001
• End date: April 30, 2003
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Tania Maria Araujo Domingues Zucchi
• Grantee: Tania Maria Araujo Domingues Zucchi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The potential for DNA strand breaks, particularly as measured by the comet assay, to act as a biomarker of genetic toxicity in animal and plants in the environment must be considered. The background need for such biomarker is introduced in relation to carcinogenicity, reproductive effects, and other adverse effects of pollution. A peculiar interest should be turned to pollutants deriving from agricultural utilization of different compounds (pesticides, fungicides, insecticides) together with the inlet of new genetically modified organisms in the environment. In this context we propose a study of such environmental problems by the developing and improving of the comet assay on various organisms, both animal and vegetable. (AU)