Digital Image Techniques for the Comet-FISH Assay in the Search for DNA Damage and Repair

Abstract

Studies worldwide have demonstrated that the Comet-FISH assay can detect DNA damage and repair in a number of genes, gene regions and loci. Any gene could be detected if a suitable probe is available in theory. Assay’s relative speed and sensitivity make it a very handy laboratory technique for studying the cellular response to damage. It has also the advantage of being able to study specific genes and gene regions of interest, particularly those associated with disease. Its speed and sensitivity also makes it versatile for use in a clinical setting whereby data can be quickly supplied from patient cell samples. The test helps to get information about the development of treatment. This is proved to be particularly beneficial in cancer management, where increasing emphasis is being placed on personalized medicine. Until recently, no research group has yet reported the successful use of a reliable software package for accurately counting hybridization signals from comet slides. They prefer counting signals manually. Manual work is both time consuming and laborious, and also brings in user subjectivity. This study is an attempt in computerization of the process. In a case study, the comet image is processed by the help of digital image handling techniques, and parameters that will help to decide about the DNA damage are derived.