What are the Common In Vitro Assays Used in Toxicology?
Several in vitro assays are widely used in toxicology, each serving a specific purpose:
Cytotoxicity assays: These assays, such as the MTT and LDH assays, evaluate the potential of a substance to cause cell death or damage. Genotoxicity assays: Tests like the Ames test or the comet assay are used to assess the potential of a substance to cause DNA damage or mutations. Receptor binding assays: These assays evaluate the interaction of chemicals with specific cellular receptors, providing insight into potential endocrine-disrupting effects. Enzyme inhibition assays: These are used to study the interference of chemicals with specific enzymes, which could lead to toxic effects.