Applications of Comet Assay for the Evaluation of Genotoxicity and DNA Repair Efficiency in Nanomaterials Research

The single cell gel electrophoresis method, known as comet assay, is a rapid and sensitive technique for testing novel chemicals and nanoparticles for genotoxicity, monitoring environmental contamination with genotoxins and human biomonitoring. In our studies we check the applicability of this method for the evaluation of biocompatibility of modified (MWNF) and non-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) as well as potential genotoxicity of mercury(II) nitrate. The obtained results enabled us to conclude that the presence of Hg(NO₃)₂ (p<0.001) and MWNT (p<0.04) cause a significantly higher level of DNA damage in comparison to functionalised nanomaterials MWNF. It was implied that for the three investigated agents only mercury significantly enhanced genotoxic effect of X-ray exposure (p<0.001) and inhibition of radio-induced DNA damage repair. On the contrary, the presence of MWNF have no influence on cellular repair efficiencies, while incubation with MWNT causes apoptosis and consequently results in lack of attached cells. In conclusion, our results confirmed the genotoxicity of mercury and non-modified carbon nanotubes as well as the biocompatibility of modified nanotubes. Additionally, we proved the usefulness of comet method for the evaluation of genotoxicity and DNA repair under the influence of different compounds and nanomaterials.