Laboratory of Cell Genetics:

Research group of Micheline Volders

CYTOGENETICS

Accurate knowledge of the individual genome can provide important information for health protection and/or therapy. The analysis of the human genome can be performed at the level of DNA sequence, chromosome structure and chromosome number. Therefore, different types of methodologies are applied, including molecular genetics, cell biology, cytology and cytogenetics.

The laboratory for Cell Genetics (Cytogenetics) studies variation in genotype and phenotype, cell division pathways, cell death and genetic changes relevant for the increase of cancer in human. Genotoxicity tests assess the induction of DNA damage, gene mutations, structural and numerical chromosome aberrations. Their predictivity for cancer induction is supported by international studies relating mutations and activation of cancer related genes, and the induction of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes with increased frequency of cancer.

The genotoxicity tests and genotyping performed in the laboratory are used to study the mechanisms of action of mutagens/carcinogens (e.g. indirect mechanisms of genotoxicity by interference with spindle proteins, DNA repair enzymes and cellular trafficking), on development of predictive human genetic susceptibility biomarkers by combining genotyping and integrated phenotyping, on the assessment of potentially more susceptible sub-groups (e.g. stem cells and children) and on the risk of occupational/environmental exposure to newly developed material (e.g. nanotoxicology)

Our strategy is a stepwise approach, from fundamental to applied research (including validation), at cellular/molecular level combining cytology with molecular approaches within interlaboratory and international collaborations.

 

List of genotoxicity tests performed in the lab

Mutagens/carcinogens studied in the lab

 

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© 2007• Laboratory of Cell Genetics • VUB • Brussels - Belgium • Tel.: +32 2 629.34.23• mkirschv@vub.ac.be