Micronucleus Assay
The Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus (CBMN) test has long been established as a well validated method in the field of radiation protection. Many see this assay as an equivalent alternative to the chromosome aberration test. The evaluation is less complicated than that of aberrations and therefore offers great potential for full automation. Metafer, MetaSystems' scanning and imaging software, enables the automatic detection of micronuclei. The standardized data generated in this way can be used in cross-laboratory studies and in international networks for the establishment of global strategies for radiation protection.
Chromsomal Aberration Assay
Metafer offers many tools for on-screen evaluation of chromosome aberration tests, many of which are considered the gold standard of biodosimetry. A scanning system operated with the Metafer software generates high-resolution images of metaphases and makes them available for analysis on separate workstations. The software provides many tools for aberration scoring, including customizable evaluation sheets, chromosome counting functionality and a Chi-square calculator. Dicentric chromosomes can be detected fully automatically, making Metafer an ideal tool for triage.
Comet Assay
The comet assay, probably the most direct method of detecting DNA damage, is based on the detection of DNA fragmentation in irradiated cells. With reproducible evaluation parameters, Metafer frees the processing of this assay from scoring biases.
Get your personal quote!γ-H2AX Foci Assay
The quantification of repair activity in irradiated cells using fluorescently labeled histone foci has contributed much to the understanding of how cells deal with severe radiation damage. The automation of the detection with Metafer facilitates standardization of the assay, even when it comes to the detection of colocalized signals.
Get your personal quote!FISH and Multicolor FISH Assays
The FISH-based evaluation of chromosome translocations is an important method of retrospective biodosimetry and especially for long-term monitoring of people exposed to radiation for potential cancer risks. Multicolor FISH (mFISH), Multicolor Chromosome Banding (mBAND) and the use of PNA probes for the detection of dicentric chromosomes complement this portfolio of important test procedures.
