Flow (cytometry)-based Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (FLUDS) Assay

The Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (UDS) Assay is a proven method to identify and characterize genotoxic chemicals. However, specific technical aspects of this assay limit its widespread use. Our group has made technical improvements to this assay that should increase throughput over 100 fold and make the test more objective and sensitive. Our application of the latest technology (i.e., flow cytometry) to this reliable and widely accepted assay will increase its utilization to rapidly screen and mechanistically characterize the genotoxic potential of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and environmental pollutants. This improved version of UDS assay will be of considerable commercial value to members of the chemical, cosmetic, consumer products and safety-testing industries.

Keywords: Flow Cytometry, Genotoxicity, High Throughput, Unscheduled DNA Synthesis, UDS, Hepatocytes, Genotoxic Chemicals, FLUDS

Commercial Applications: MB Research will conduct this genotoxicity assay  for members of the pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetic, agrochemical, chemical and consumer products industries. Our clients are increasingly requesting rapid, reliable and inexpensive assays of genotoxicity that would be used to screen large numbers of chemicals. The results of such an assay would be used to determine which chemicals should be excluded from the product development process and which agents should move on to further tests of genotoxicity.

This project is currently co-funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and MB Research Labs.