Measuring DNA Damage
in Red Blood Cells

Exposure to a test substance can result in damage to the chromosomes or spindle apparatus of cells. During routine cell division, this type of damage can create a smaller ‘micro’-nucleus, apart from the main nucleus.

When red blood cells mature the main nucleus is expelled. Micronuclei remain behind and can easily be seen in a cell with no other DNA. This makes red blood cells ideal for measuring this endpoint.

In Vivo MicroFlow kits use flow cytometry to quickly and reproducibly measure micronuclei.