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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