AMES TEST Meaning and
Definition
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The Ames test is a scientific assay used to evaluate the mutagenicity of chemical substances. Specifically, it is a bacterial reverse mutation assay that determines the potential of a compound to induce genetic mutations in bacteria. The test was named after its creator Dr. Bruce Ames, an American biochemist.
The Ames test involves exposing a strain of bacteria, usually Salmonella typhimurium, to a tested compound. The bacteria are modified to have a defective gene that prevents them from producing an essential amino acid for growth. If the tested compound is mutagenic, it may cause a genetic mutation in the bacteria, allowing them to once again produce the necessary amino acid and survive. The presence of colonies of bacteria indicates that the compound has induced mutation in the bacterial DNA.
This test is of great significance in the field of toxicology as it provides researchers with a quick, cost-effective, and reliable method to assess the potential mutagenicity of various compounds. If a substance is found to be mutagenic in the Ames test, it may indicate that it has the potential to cause DNA damage and potentially contribute to the development of cancers or other genetic disorders.
Overall, the Ames test serves as an important tool in the screening of potentially hazardous substances, aiding in the identification and subsequent regulation of mutagens, and promoting the development of safer and more environmentally friendly chemicals.
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Etymology of AMES TEST
The term "Ames test" is named after its creator Dr. Bruce Ames, an American biochemist and molecular biologist. Dr. Ames developed this test in the early 1970s as a method to assess the mutagenicity (ability to cause mutations) of various chemical compounds. The test is based on the principle of using bacteria as indicators to detect if a compound has the potential to cause genetic mutations by analyzing their ability to induce mutations in specific genes. Therefore, the name "Ames test" originated from Dr. Bruce Ames' significant contribution to the development of this method.
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