[DNA comet assay in genotoxicological studies].

The comet assay is a current highly sensitive method to evaluate primary DNA damages and repair. The paper considers the principle and procedure of the DNA comet assay and its modification for the detection of different types of DNA damages. It also discusses the prospects of its use as an indicator test during epidemiological and a variety of experimental and clinical studies. Whether the DNA comet assay is of importance for the expert evaluation of genotoxicity and for the prediction of mutagenicity and carcinogenicity is considered.