Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting for the presence of an agent that putatively causes or potentiates DNA damage comprising subjecting a cell (containing a DNA sequence encoding a reporter protein operatively linked to a human GADD45? gene promoter and a human GADD45? gene regulatory element arranged to activate expression of the DNA sequence in response to DNA damage) to an agent; and monitoring the expression of the reporter protein from the cell. The invention also concerns expression cassettes, vectors and cells which may be used according to such a method and also modified media that may be employed in fluorescence assays and in preferred embodiments of the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting for the presence of an agent that putatively causes or potentiates DNA damage comprising subjecting a cell (containing a DNA sequence encoding Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) reporter protein operatively linked to a human GADD45? gene promoter and a human GADD45? gene regulatory element arranged to activate expression of the DNA sequence in response to DNA damage) to an agent; and monitoring the expression of the GLuc reporter protein from the cell. The invention also concerns expression cassettes, vectors and cells which may be used according to such a method and also modified media that may be employed in assays and in preferred embodiments of the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting for the presence of an agent that putatively causes or potentiates DNA damage comprising subjecting a cell (containing a DNA sequence encoding a reporter protein operatively linked to a human GADD45? gene promoter and a human GADD45? gene regulatory element arranged to activate expression of the DNA sequence in response to DNA damage) to an agent; and monitoring the expression of the reporter protein from the cell. The invention also concerns expression cassettes, vectors and cells which may be used according to such a method and also modified media that may be employed in fluorscence assays and in preferred embodiments of the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting for the presence of an agent that putatively causes or potentiates DNA damage comprising subjecting a cell (containing a DNA sequence encoding Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) reporter protein operatively linked to a human GADD45? gene promoter and a human GADD45? gene regulatory element arranged to activate expression of the DNA sequence in response to DNA damage) to an agent; and monitoring the expression of the GLuc reporter protein from the cell. The invention also concerns expression cassettes, vectors and cells which may be used according to such a method and also modified media that may be employed in assays and in preferred embodiments of the method of the invention.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules comprising a regulatory element that activates gene expression in response to DNA damage operatively linked to a DNA sequence that encodes a light emitting reporter protein, recombinant vectors containing such DNA molecules and cells containing the DNA molecules or recombinant vectors. A method of detecting for the presence of an agent that causes or potentiates DNA damage is also disclosed which involves subjecting the above-described cells to a putative DNA damaging agent and monitoring the expression of the light emitting reporter protein from the cell.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing between fluorescent light emitted by green fluorescent protein and fluorescent light emitted by auto-fluorescent molecules, the method comprising: using plane-polarised light to illuminate a sample containing green fluorescent protein and auto-fluorescent molecules; detecting the intensity of fluorescent light that is emitted with a first polarisation from the sample; detecting the intensity of fluorescent light that is emitted with a second polarisation from the sample; and subtracting a first of said detected intensities from a second of said detected intensities to obtain a difference signal.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules comprising a regulatory element that activates gene expression in response to DNA damage operatively linked to a DNA sequence that encodes a light emitting reporter protein, recombinant vectors containing such DNA molecules and cells containing the DNA molecules or recombinant vectors. A method of detecting for the presence of an agent that causes or potentiates DNA damage is also disclosed which involves subjecting the above-described cells to a putative DNA damaging agent and monitoring the expression of the light emitting reporter protein from the cell.