Vol. 7, Issue 1 (2018)

Author(s):
Rajinder Kaur, Tarang Kumar Shah, Sarbjeet Kaur and Sapana Rani Charak

Abstract:
Genotoxicity studies used to explore the puissance of a compound to interact with the genetic constituents. Any alteration in the genetic code either due to gene mutations (point mutations) or DNA strand breaks may lead to fundamental changes. DNA damage in a somatic cell may results in a somatic mutation, which may lead to malignant transformation (cancer). Many chemicals having the genotoxic potential are being emitted to surface water through various discharges. Most engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are capable of causing genotoxic responses such as DNA or/and chromosomal fragmentation, DNA strand breakage, but at unrealistic high concentrations. Genotoxicity tests are gaining importance through the development of several techniques to directly detect the DNA damage. These tests are relied on the fact that any change to DNA is having long-lasting and profound consequences.