A DNA-conjugated magnetic nanoparticle assay for assessing genotoxicity.

The genotoxicity of a molecule refers to its ability to interact with DNA in a way that inhibits normal DNA replication and transcription possibly leading to mutagenesis or carcinogenesis. Assessing the genotoxicity of a compound is critical in the development of pharmaceuticals and other products designed for human consumption or use. Typically genotoxicity is established using expensive and time consuming methods using animals or bacteria like the Ames test, mouse lymphoma assay, or mouse and rat carcinogenicity tests.